I'm dying of thirst beside the fountain, br Hot as fire, and with chattering teeth: br In my own land, I'm in a far domain: br Near the flame, I shiver beyond belief: br Bare as a worm, dressed in a furry sheathe, br I smile in tears, wait without expectation: br Taking my comfort in sad desperation: br I rejoice, without pleasures, never a one: br Strong I am, without power or persuasion, br Welcomed gladly, and spurned by everyone. br br Nothing is sure for me but what's uncertain: br Obscure, whatever is plainly clear to see: br I've no doubt, except of everything certain: br Science is what happens accidentally: br I win it all, yet a loser I'm bound to be: br Saying: ‘God give you good even!' at dawn, br I greatly fear I'm falling, when lying down: br I've plenty, yet I've not one possession, br I wait to inherit, yet I'm no heir I own, br Welcomed gladly, and spurned by everyone. br br I never take care, yet I've taken great pain br To acquire some goods, but have none by me: br Who's nice to me is one I hate: it's plain, br And who speaks truth deals with me most falsely: br He's my friend who can make me believe br A white swan is the blackest crow I've known: br Who thinks he's power to help me, does me harm: br Lies, truth, to me are all one under the sun: br I remember all, have the wisdom of a stone, br Welcomed gladly, and spurned by everyone. br br br Merciful Prince, may it please you that I've shown br There's much I know, yet without sense or reason: br I'm partial, yet I hold with all men, in common. br What more can I do? Redeem what I've in pawn, br Welcomed gladly, and spurned by everyone.