Sol 6

  1. I wished that I had married

    and that my home would flourish,

  2. so that, through my wife, I might live

    in comfort known to all.

  3. Every husband would envy my life

    when he saw my happiness.

  4. And I would be truthful

    in the excuses I offered

  5. to her, with no need for pretense

    or deceit.

  6. And I would feel safe

    from any hidden scheme of hers.

  7. No doubt would disturb my trust

    in her care for her honor.

  8. Surely there must exist

    this pure angel.

  9. She is the one whose image

    dazzles me in dreams.

  10. I have a confidence sustained

    by bright hope in her.

  11. I await lasting affection

    from her, and a promise that bears fruit.

  12. O maiden,

    I am deeply in love with you.

  13. Come, so that

    my desolate place may bloom through you.

  14. Gild the horizon of my life

    with enchanting light.

  15. I have sought a wife

    whose equal I cannot find.

  16. For this reason, I remain

    a bachelor, waiting.

  17. I do not seek a conceited woman

    who boasts of herself

  18. and kindles in every heart

    a burning ache;

  19. nor one who thinks of nothing

    but jealousy.

  20. For jealousy is a source

    of deadly spite.

  21. I do not seek a plunderer

    who takes what I save.

  22. I do not seek a learned woman

    who embarrasses and vexes me,

  23. wanting to leave her mark

    in every field.

  24. I do not seek a preacher

    who frightens and warns me,

  25. who addresses crowds

    and tells tales and recites verse.

  26. I do not seek a chatterer

    who speaks aloud about everything.

  27. For this reason, I remain

    a bachelor, waiting.

  28. I want to keep for myself

    authority that cannot be overcome.

  29. I want to leave my home

    and return whenever I please.

  30. My will does not yield to what

    it rejects, nor does it obey commands.

  31. I hope for a woman

    with qualities worthy of praise:

  32. beautiful, her appearance lasting

    in my heart.

  33. I also want her outward appearance

    and inner character to agree.

  34. She loves what I love

    and rejects what I reject.

  35. She avoids what I grow

    weary of and turn away from.

  36. Her eyes express

    the purity of her heart.

  37. Without pretense, she enters

    my honorable thoughts.

  38. She accompanies me through every stage

    of my life and shares my desires.

  39. And I would gladly accept

    her capture of my heart.

  40. I think I will not find

    the woman I have sought.

  41. For this reason, I remain

    a bachelor, waiting.

  42. I fear that my wife

    might betray and deceive me,

  43. harboring stubbornness toward me

    and deadly thoughts within.

  44. If I had strength against

    defiant women, I could endure.

  45. But I cherish

    my fragile self.

  46. So I have resolved

    to protect my health.

  47. For this reason, I remain

    a bachelor, waiting.

  48. I see the distress of those

    who married, and take heed

  49. of the hardship into which

    so many have fallen.

  50. I hate to regard women

    as those men have regarded them.

  51. Perhaps what I have come

    to say about them

  52. is an exaggeration of mine

    prompted by caution.

  53. Nothing I fear among these things

    puts life itself in danger.

  54. But I hate the thought

    of being despised tomorrow,

  55. of being belittled all

    my life and mocked.

  56. For this reason, I remain

    a bachelor, waiting.

Sol 6