1. If you know not good, to do it or stay
Nor evil, to shun it on your way

2. If your acts bring no gain or any loss
Swaying not right or leaning left across

3. Then like water that flows but has no will
Or sword that does not sword-work fulfill

4. No right have you men's blame or praise to claim
Yet you in your ignorance bear the shame

5. Like one who eats what harms his stomach sore
Or drunk who knows not what in drink he bore

6. Who reaps no fruit of work, who reads no lore
Named generous but wasteful evermore

7. Why give thous then, not knowing the tenth part
Why honor the slave not knowing free heart?

8. They said, his worth is the worth he deems
And who knows not hardship what succor seems?

9. No length of days nor life, my Lord, decree
For what more proper, grave, than death for thee?