1. What do you want from time,
From wishes and hopes?

2. Whenever you came close
To your beautiful dreams,

3. Providence watched over
Your comfort and safety.

4. Are you infatuated with sighs
Like the pious with the call to prayer?

5. If you envy those guarded
By two guards at their door,

6. You have guards as if
You were in a citadel.

7. Appointed over what you dispose
Of moments and hours.

8. You live in a house unmatched
In fame and greatness by any other,

9. None may enter it
Except one of prestige and esteem,

10. A house any friend
Or foe points to with pride.

11. A thousand weepers coveted it
And a thousand builders claimed it,

12. Yet despite yourself you were protected
From the schemes of evildoers,

13. And shielded from the arrogance of money
Or the sorcery of beauty.

14. They hid you from the glances of eyes
To preserve your integrity,

15. Like the repeated chant
Is dearer than seeing.

16. Why do you envy those entertained
By games and amusements?

17. Is not the clank of iron more sweet
Than the music of lutes

18. Which others use to forget
Their troubles and sorrows?

19. The rhythms of your poetry are the rhythms
Contained in the Psalms.

20. What more do you want from time?
You were given what no other was given,

21. Nature gave you the gift
To kindle fires,

22. Morning and evening, and
To inspire the poet.

23. Thank the bounty granted you,
For through their favor you have become rich.

24. The clang of iron on your hands
Is the reward your hands have earned.

25. O you who disturb the peace of the dear homeland,
And security,

26. And divide the Jews
Into factions, each with its own concern,

27. You and the "Kashir" and "Tarrif"
Are but oxen and sheep.

28. The press is free
But with the condition of responsibility.

29. Thank their bounty, even
If you suffer what you suffer,

30. If punishment does not benefit you
Perhaps two punishments will,

31. Or if the ordeal did not teach you
Then two ordeals might.