1. You are the one who taught me,
My master, the kindness of a friend,

2. And left me among youths
Who have no gentle friendship.

3. After you I have not found among them
Except coldness or filial impiety,

4. As though I had never made
With them a solemn covenant.

5. As though they had never seen
In my intimacy an honest companion.

6. So they forgot my love and were not roused
By their affection for my yearning heart.

7. They forgot our intimate converse
In the early dawn or at nightfall.

8. Would that love had never guided me
One day to that path,

9. Or would that I had not been deluded
In ignorance by those lightnings,

10. Rather would that after me there had awakened
One who suffered from my company.

11. My Master, if You saw me
You would be startled by my flowing tears,

12. And my emaciated body would stir You,
As though it were a trembling phantom.

13. I complain to You, and the oppressed
Complains only to the kindly.

14. So have mercy, my ransom, on a life
Destroyed by deep sorrow,

15. A grief that slashes the darkness
As though it were the betrayal of a friend.

16. Alas, my heart has not ceased
To be consumed by the timid soul,

17. And memory leads it back
To the days of tender love.

18. Days when we frolicked in youth
In that graceful life,

19. Days when we were sated with love
And affection was a cup of wine.

20. Those nights left behind them
No beauty that pleases,

21. No, nor did they leave for us
Except sighing or moaning.