1. The tears that stream from my eyes reveal the grief inside
And the weeping soothes what bile has the eyelids corroded

2. So O son of forty, a ship you must ride
Of piety, since for a time it has abided

3. And if you be from Noah's fellows, bend aside
That you may live, with safety the forty provided

4. For grey hairs on your temples a number have inscribed
So O folk of the numbered, can you hear me decided

5. You're cave-folk, on whom for years was precluded
All hearing, so strongly your ears we have chided

6. I've seen grey hairs run through the blackness reside
Whiteness not like thought in a writer's hand guided

7. And blackness can run upon whiteness collide
So beauty in it became clear and divided

8. This reverse is a sign of all being turned over
I made you feel this, if you feelings decided

9. Plants bloomed but soon ruined fragments discover
And this moment has over the eyes presided

10. A warner came naked, running them over
While you laugh and play, to advice prepended

11. My brother, how long can this distraction sever?
You're mad with desire for this life decided

12. And though it draws near and kindnesses tender
How many sons left, how many defended!

13. Don't let days that come after trick or surrender
Fear their nights, both dark and whey-faced limited

14. For when you look, the arms of this world fender
Silent places rousing, movement provided

15. Before you, a day - O what a day tender!
When God all mankind's debts will have divided

16. Either mansion of glory, nothing to end there
Or abode of disgrace, ever diminished

17. Joy in the next day to the pious defenders!
But woe to the sinners, of crimes convicted!

18. Ah! Ah! And Ah! I cry without pretender
For my own soul, countless times afflicted

19. My brother, did you hear this advice I render?
Would that with hearers I were listed!

20. If advice brings not sincerity so tender
None lose like the advisers conflicted