1. Blame not the times, heed not the blamer
Leave his accusations, be they true or lies

2. None but the cunning ever duped fate
And he who contends with it will be defeated

3. Life is serene for him who is patient and resigned
And gently leads his worldly affairs, howe’er difficult

4. Did an age pass without being criticized?
Ask history and books for judgments true

5. When whispers the sly, yearn you for haste
For calm, don the mantle of integrity

6. A garden near the sea, caressed by the breeze
With clouds above and soft winds blowing

7. Adorned by April’s sky, it rejoiced
And birds gathered seeking mates

8. It says: O man, alive, rejoice
If the brook babbles, it tells of sorrow and war

9. And the pine, when played, you’d think
It translates the lute’s melancholy tones

10. It listens and whispers in ears secrets
Long hidden in hearts, now told

11. The fountains dance, the wheels spin
Like two companions who fear the watchman

12. One moans, watering the garden with its tears
The other whirls when it beholds confusion

13. A barge glides, its whales have become
Like virgins in the sea, daughters of the deep

14. Or a doll of marble, a singing concubine
With braids, anklets and mouth that holds charm

15. Melting like ingots into the melting clouds
Unsure which of the two has conquered

16. Or a pine shaken with passion
Dropping crystals and sap from its branches

17. Or a rifle shooting pearls
At the eagle of the sky, or the moon, or meteors

18. Or Pleiades pouring from their steps
Onto the garden the rights that are due

19. Mix in its chains the water of life and add
Melodies to echo the rest and rapture

20. From the mouth that captivated hearts, then sang
To the lovers: I shall take the means

21. Rejoice with my company in a garden that portrayed my nature
And heed not the sayings of jesters, O youth

22. With that, enjoy the world and lead yourself
Until time restores what it took by force

23. Time is just time, days are the same
No permanence for the defeated, nor the victor remains