1. He obeyed the slanderer's lies, turned from all he knew of me,
Estranged himself until his absence pierced my soul. If he

2. Appeared before me now in this abode, amazing it would be!
He blames me, yet no crime or sin have I committed. He

3. Held my obedient heart only to break it. Rarely can the free
Control who tyrannizes them. His estrangement pained me, yet to him

4. I acquiesce to his decrees though they be unfair.
After intimacy he shunned me, turned away in scorn. Then his

5. Affection returned, inconstant as the moon. Oh you who flee
All blame but boredom, he called and you flocked to his cry.

6. Why do I see division when our house could unify
Your hearts, which now hurl arrows from afar? Do not hasten with

7. Parting, for death’s specter parts us soon enough. Reconcile
A heart when you have calmed its turmoil, dry its tears when you

8. Have soothed it, for it is yours though you are cruel. I love
You still, though you are unjust. It pleases me not, yet would be

9. Worse if exceeded further. Thus is my lot with loved ones - the heart
That settles upon them brings estrangement and abandonment.

10. So changed is friendship now. Blameless it was, now blemished.