1. Your youth is kindled by the camphor white,
Yet you while time with idle jest and slight.

2. Have you not learned that every deed and word
Brings sorrow, failure, evil in its train?

3. You've passed threescore; opportunity
No more is yours mistakes of youth to right.

4. Your erring foot has led you far astray,
From virtue's path it turns you left and right.

5. Headlong you hasten on through sin's dark night,
Restraining fear and shame have lost their might.

6. Hard grown are hearts that warning cannot move,
And eyes are dry on which tears have no bite.

7. Men's fellowship is poison; your soul's health
Demands you dwell remote from human blight.

8. Though single, safe your faith, mix with mankind,
And doubts and evil on your soul alight.

9. Pity my heart! How chide it though I may,
It hears no counsel, heeds not what is right.

10. Long years have passed; it turns from wisdom's voice
And leans toward the follies of its flight.