Sol 6.1

  1. Nothing is exempt from death,

    neither the destitute nor one who makes wealth grow.

  2. Would that I knew about the noble lord; and

    renewed questioning brings you word of events.

  3. Where now is our risking wealth and

    lives, when they advanced for a day of bounty?

  4. And my archery at your side against the people, who

    shoot while I shoot, none of us sparing effort.

  5. So I hit what you desired, without

    loss, outdoing them and pressing on.

  6. On a day when I do not shield myself with my palm, throughout

    time, against his supporters without stratagem.

  7. And before your eyes all that passed

    you by; their arrows miss you in the archery contest.

  8. Would that I had taken my death in my own

    hands, and had not met the death of the slain.

  9. They worked their plots to bring us down this

    year; they have brought the millstone down among the heavy weights.

  10. I have tested the supporters in earnest, and

    made certain of them; your ankle stands high today.

  11. What hope have I in the lofty ones, endowed with

    [unclear word]? Or what patience have I, and how can I contrive?

  12. You make the borderlands your concern; I do not

    heed the sayings of slanderers and the base [reading uncertain].

  13. I commune with myself and make you feel

    affection, without estrangement or tedium.

  14. Often indeed you led me, so I turned

    toward what a north wind had thwarted for you.

  15. With an in-law who was the hope, I then delivered

    a dear one whose company I kept with kindness.

  16. He was a garment I wore, so long as

    time lent help through him [ending unclear]; every garment wears out.

  17. So if I have been content, I have indeed been made

    to forget amid trial and a long stretch of time.

  18. Do not belittle our plight; for if

    [the unclear subject] holds firm, remember my words, your breast rising above

  19. afflictions that hasten toward you and

    spare you no evil; guidance lies by the mirage.

  20. How can you hope to restore what has ebbed away, ablaze [syntax unclear],

    the safeguard of your two lot-arrows in the whiteness of the left hand?

  21. Then, then, when you rise remorseful, shaking your two

    hands in grief, say, 'I do not care.'

  22. And may your portion be safety and right judgment,

    and fertility amid drought and barrenness.

  23. And seek clarity, now that you have reached

    many years of age, through the diligent counselor,

  24. standing surety for the great; fearful of you is the

    fool, with many enemies and young dependents [final wording uncertain].

Sol 6.1