1. My reminder of youth's time,
And living in those meadows,

2. And covenants I left behind,
Shelter of my own making,

3. And precious life I sold
For cheap, debased living,

4. Reminded me of things as if
The noble were now base,

5. And wonders now passed
Like garden's fading beauty,

6. You must be deceiving me
Like the blossom in springtime,

7. Leave me be, don't answer,
I'm not listening or hearing,

8. Leave me to grieve and buy
My wasted life from ruin,

9. Too late, the past won't return,
Death comes before I do,

10. A life whose best years
Spent between sin and fervor,

11. Intercessors are far,
Who can intercede for me?

12. Alas for a soul whose wont
Is descending, not rising!

13. Whether you descend or rise,
I cannot turn back again,

14. Between us like old man
And suckling innocent child,

15. Youth is gone, and who now sees
Wisdom in the shameless one?

16. In my chest the fire of old age
Burns between my ribs,

17. My strength is drained from me,
My tears wrung from my eyes,

18. Happy is he who sacrificed
Self cloaked in humility,

19. Who tended a fame made
Famous before he began,

20. There his Lord who owns all
Will grant him his reward.