1. A friend I grazed for years, loving him
Never opposing his ways and aims

2. I would tend to his covenant when gone
Rather, I feared that I'd live beyond him

3. Often I'd force his foe to relent
And protect him from schemes that would end him

4. Till time made its blade bare and did rend
After joy, for me his face it would bend

5. And he'd overstep in some matters his end
Yet I didn't restrain him or contend

6. Or bitter his joy with reproof I would send
And if I had wanted his limit to rend

7. I'd have said what would split his skin open
But I left him, and left to him his hate

8. A man of glory tends to the glory he's given
All men spend from what they're holding

9. And man is rewarded by what he has striven