1. I hastily questioned his strength of mind
So I was silenced, his superiority apparent

2. I said, why the freshness of your cheek?
It draws its sheen from your brilliance as water

3. He bent and said to me, how can it wither
When its life, as you see it, is bashfulness

4. I said, let me smell it, he said, not so fast
The elder’s aim is to sense it, not covet it