1. I offered my gift for sale one day
To see what it was worth, out of certainty

2. But when forty years passed, I heard
My right hand was about to erase it

3. And I said it was best to return it, but it said
Words that contained gentle reproach

4. How much do you belittle the poets, friend?
And raise up those below me?

5. What do the poets want from me
When I have reached forty years?