1. I aspire to generosity in a miserly time,
But curbing impulsiveness is difficult.

2. I yearn for glory and nights of joy,
Yet my ambitious hopes are cut short.

3. My hopes have fallen short of what I desire,
So how can my praises meet the mark?

4. This is an age where days are so brief
They seem shorter than the life of Noah.

5. Children turn gray with fright,
And the living envy those in the grave.

6. Affliction and fear have spread such
That every slight breeze shakes the pillars.

7. To whom shall I complain but the wounded?
The healthy know not my agony.

8. None shares my worries for me to confide,
So I complain to ease my own soul.

9. Come quickly, death or life, lest
My spirit breaks free against my will.

10. If life leads you to disgrace,
Death brings the comfort of honor.

11. How long will I string together gems of meaning
Like statues brought to life by my spirit?

12. And entertain every fruitless endeavor
With reason corrupted by false hopes?

13. I shall not despair though the blows
Of fate and time savage and bite.

14. Good fortune may grant my wishes,
Belied by the warnings of fate.

15. Destiny follows no rules,
So hope or mend ways while you can.