II. Despite the prohibition, she has forced me to submit, and has held me confined and enveloped, as the lion would have the forest, so that all creatures in it lose heart and fear to emerge from the top and summit of the trees. In the same way, faithless love tormented and afflicted me and for a long while compelled me to sail into the wind.
III. It is true that she drove me into the wind, and I acted foolishly in adoring her, since I owe her no recompense for what is merely lent. She so concealed from me the falseness of her discourse that she made an ash-tree seem an osier, and with her pleasant words she pacified and appeased me and showed me how to free myself from her.
IV. I am free, but she bound me thus with the very same guile with which she released me, since I am the man who stays only where loyal service is unrewarded, for no one attains perfect wisdom save where he sees covetous and deceitful folk; and I do not move from her side, but follow a straight path, whoever may go awry.
V. I go not one whit awry, but for this she punished me. So long did I sharpen and grind that I thought I had won great joy, but I see it turn to sorrow, for I found the loyalty of Cain in her, being one who appreciates no merit of any kind; hence I remain like a tree without its bark.
VI. “Brother”, I have loved you since we saw each other, and I am the man who does not cease to appreciate you, but I care naught for love which cuts itself free and goes awry.
