University of Virginia Library

The tribulus grows on the wall ,
And cannot be brushed away .
The story of the inner chamber ,
Cannot be told .
What would have to be told ,
Would be the vilest of recitals .

The tribulus grow on the wall ,
And cannot be removed .
The story of the inner chamber ,
Cannot be particularly related .
What might be particularly related
Would be a long story .

The tribulus grow on the wall ,
And cannot be bound together , [and taken away] .
The story of the inner chamber
Cannot be recited ,
What might be recited ,
Would be the most disgraceful of things .