University of Virginia Library

There is a luxuriant willow tree ;—
Who would not wish to rest [under it] ?
[But this] god is very changeable ;—
Do not approach him .
If I were to [try and] order his affairs ,
His demands afterwards would be extreme .

There is a luxuriant willow tree ;—
Who would not wish to take shelter [under it] ?
[But this] god is very changeable ,
Do not get yourself into trouble with him .
If I were to [try and] order his affairs ,
His demands on me afterwards would be beyond measure .

There is a bird flying high ,
Even up to heaven .
The heart of that man , —
To what will it proceed ?
Why should I [try to] order his affairs ?
I should only find myself in pitiable misery .