I. A young man is of no worth who does not perjure himself when he gains greater advantage by retracting his oath. And if I, because of illness and through fear of the tempest made a pact with God to sing no more, now that the weather is improving I shall find that I have been gravely at fault. God pardon me if I have begun to sing again!
II. I am in hopes of happiness [hereafter], for now in my youth have I always suffering; but never did it please me to dwell among wicked people, wherefore have I for many a day and many a dark night suffered heat and cold, that I might depart from town and country to follow a noble and worthy count.
III. Never would a man inveigh against merchants, I know full well, if he beheld how they acquire their wealth and how they venture to sea. I have considered the whole matter at length; whether they have good weather or not, I consider it the livelihood of a prisoner.
IV. Never did I desire that fair slim-waisted lady more than I desire now a hundredfold a south-west wind or a westerly breeze and other winds likewise, provided that they blow in moderation. And in yon spacious port which a man may perhaps know when the weather is fair, Sir Blacatz does not know what it is like.
V. If ever I jousted or rode leisurely, now for a horse do I take our bark, when it sails smoothly, and for a shield the great billowing sail, for a lance the tough strong yard, for a spur the yardrope; the rudders do I take for bits, for a saddle and for harness.
