1. By your life! on earth there lives no old man
With wisdom stored, no youth but to ill hath run.

2. If with some little thing he be puffed with pride,
He findeth in himself but evil to chide.

3. And if a Lord of lofty-mindedness there be
Death humbleth him whileas in life high raised he see.

4. And many a steed amid their ranks thou hast espied
His riders laud, while he in the first rank will bide.