Out of this thought, thou, not yet born after five-and-twenty years of travail, wert conceived.

My coffers were then full, and my name was honoured; and the rich respected and the poor loved me.

Art thou a devil, that has tempted me to ruin, or a god, that has lifted me above the earth?
I am old before my time, my hair is blanched, my frame is bowed, my wealth is gone, my name is sullied.

And all, dumb idol of Iron and the Element, all for thee! I had a wife whom I adored; she died,--I forgot her loss in the hope of thy life.

I have a child still--God and our Lady forgive me! she is less dear to me than thou hast been.