1. A reproach from a brother came to me, so I forgave him,
Though he had no right over me that I should deny myself repose.

2. But your reproach, that was not in its proper mode,
Has straitened my ample space, of my heavens and my earth.

3. You began with gentle words that made me feel
I should thank the one who gave me such comfort.

4. So I made promises of glorious generosity
To one of renown and openhandedness without reserve.

5. But you admonished me until it was as though
You were tracking those promises to annul them.

6. You found fault, leaving no room for any critic
To wonder at fault-finding from a pardoning hand.

7. Why, when pardoning me, did you bare your teeth
In reproaches of all kinds of biting censure?

8. Do you claim that if I governed a land
I would see my friends stripped for my gain?

9. God forbid that I should tyrannize in any way when governing,
For I know that God both gives and takes away.

10. If I wanted to tyrannize over all people,
I would tyrannize with extensive might and reach.

11. The fault you found in me was not due
To any cause but to my preoccupation with other than vain frivolity.

12. Rather it is arranging a livelihood thereby
That distracts me, with no thought of rejecting you.

13. For what you have done I will come back to you
With my affection, grateful for our former pact,

14. Knowing that if for an hour you angered me,
You will please me when few can give pleasure.

15. You are one whose friend would be sacrificed for him,
Marching on when all the swords failed to march.

16. Assuming burdens of disgrace for his sake,
When the apathetic is roused for effort by the insisting.

17. One who reaches but part of what you have attained—
Reproach me the same as you reproached my honor.

18. Wait—may God guide you—from one whose friendship
Found you wronged and met you with pardoning pleasure.

19. If you wished, I could defend my innocence against you
In ways that, if pondered, lack all deficiency.