1. My ample bosom was straitened, and all my stratagems failed,
The violence of cares led me into illnesses,

2. And my patience was about to break, had there not remained with me
A remnant of firmness that did not depart.

3. I did not reckon that time would deprive me
Of anything, or alter my deeds,

4. And persist in a condition that brings me
On the ladder of misfortune up to the stars.

5. Before revealing its evil
It would from time to time console me and treat me well,

6. So the soul had times of feigned illness
In which hopes wavered between despair and boredom.

7. And how excellent a state it was that gave comfort
Had it not changed into misery and stillness.

8. O time, you were rewarded but did not make my treatment beautiful.
Where is loyalty and measure for measure?

9. Is this the reward of a man whose prison
Was love of cooperation in fertility and barrenness?

10. Who never hoarded a coin against poverty
And was not stingy with aid when asked?

11. And how much did he help people in their straits
With money and fame in hardship and comfort?

12. And how many rights by his efforts were maintained
And selves protected from tremendous tribulations?

13. My Master knows, and if the brethren acted justly
They would say this, though my works bear witness for me.

14. But against the action of time I had no recourse
Except the disappointment of hope.

15. They said, "He was partisan," but no, by God, they did not speak truth
Except for truth, not for sin or slip.

16. How can the noble accept disparagement
When the evildoer attributes evil to him but does not speak?

17. Or how can one strive for that which contains his perdition
When he does not need to draw from a muddy spring?

18. But such is the nature of the ignorant, who suppose
That the magnate is like him in his base qualities.

19. Cast down your eyes from gazing upon the spies;
Silence on their opinion said in proverbs!

20. Since my eyelids were shut on the motes of harm
Without complaining or arguing,

21. The changes of what I was given were hastened--oh, what a pity!--
From livelihood, so misery followed in exchange.

22. My condition narrowed, and I turned affairs over
To defending, though utterly ashamed.

23. I fulfilled the needs of all who were distressed
And required management, and when crying out, I would pay them.

24. I stood up as much as I was able until incapacity seated me,
And it was less burdensome to earn wages for labor.

25. Then I took the villages, that I might never see
A time of comfort and plenty again.

26. I resigned my soul in despair and sought
The saying of one who said that honor lies in moving from place to place.

27. There they said, "He has grown rich," and earning did overcome him;
Clay and travels were enough for him.

28. Yes, I grew rich, but contrary to what they claimed,
With the honor of spirit, not clay and toil!

29. As for buying, I have no means for it,
Would that I were free of the pain of debt!

30. Where do I have wealth without ample means
And livelihood from clay that does not escape a man's notice?

31. Rather they flung charges; would that they had kept silent
When they saw me in my state and I did not resolve it!

32. They did not know that patience in the face of the despicable
Is for the envious, though poison lies in honey.

33. But one whose hand is in water is unlike him
Whose hands are in the fire--the difference between the two is clear!

34. And God knows that I hoarded nothing but
My gratitude to Him, and the excellent share from before.

35. So He is my hope whenever I am hopeful,
And He who inspires expectation whether settled or moving from place to place.

36. If I am met with good fortune and time treats me fairly,
I will attain what I wish before my term runs out.

37. Or no--it suffices me that the ending be honorable;
This is the limit of my tether.