1. May God ward off from you the vicissitudes of time,
And forbid that you should ever fall ill.

2. I bear witness before God, I know nothing of deception from you
Nor have I found in you aught but good faith.

3. And by my life, if I had known you closely
For a year, that would have seemed to me but brief.

4. I hope, though there was nothing worthy from me shown you,
That I may prove to be one who when professing loyalty

5. Seeks no guarantor for it.
Then he shows no kindness until

6. He has first exerted himself to the utmost.
So when he speaks his word is as he said,

7. Or far removed is he from saying what he does not do.
Make me then a way to cling to destiny,

8. If I find no way for myself.
For of old he was never generous or noble

9. Who grudged his friend or who was grudged by his friend.