Sol 5.6

  1. And many a trackless waste in which our mounts grew restless,

    while night itself, restless, sent its own mounts journeying.

  2. I rode it, and it was as though dawn were its rider;

    I traversed it, and it was as though the star were its traverser—

  3. on every steed of youthful vigor, driven to a furious gallop,

    till its withers sank and its flank drew in.

  4. All night it plundered the dark wing of night in haste,

    as though it were a player delighting in its playing fields,

  5. until dawn appeared, the bones of its breast gleaming white,

    and night retreated, its mustaches tinged green.

  6. Success lies only in a night that you follow close

    when it returns at evening, or in a dawn that keeps pace with it.

  7. He who stays awake by night pursuing his needs is the one who truly sleeps,

    and he who spends his wealth for glory is its true earner.

  8. I fear no mighty thing when it assails me:

    you do not overcome anything you fear.

  9. Sweet as the sweetness of reunion when what was lost returns,

    bitter as the bitterness of a rightful debt when payment falls due—

  10. a man of resolves whose wonders never end,

    while Time, among those resolves, sees its own wonders end.

  11. His desires are fulfilled through every gain,

    but his desires for glory are never satisfied.

  12. Noble forefathers endowed him with might,

    and his ever-verdant character increased it.

  13. You have indeed surpassed every noble person;

    they are the feet of Glory, and you its withers.

  14. Would that I knew: can any age give you your due thanks—

    an age whose virtues are your endeavors within it?

  15. When you brought pleasure, you were its added blessings;

    and when you provoked anger, you were its calamities.

  16. From among you, an eye keeps watch upon Time and never dozes against it,

    and adversities face a champion they cannot overcome.

Sol 5.6