Simple was I and was young;
         Kept no gallant tryst, I;
Even from good words held my tongue,
         Quoniam Tu fecisti!

Through my youth I stirred me not,
         High adventure missed I,
Left the shining shrines unsought;
         Yet - me deduxisti!

At my start by Helicon
         Love-lore little wist I,
Worldly less; but footed on;
         Why? Me suscepisti!

When I failed at fervid rhymes,
         “Shall,” I said, “persist I?”
“Dies” (I would add at times)
         “Meos posuisti!”

So I have fared through many suns;
         Sadly little grist I
Bring my mill, or any one’s,
         Domine, Tu scisti!

And at dead of night I call:
         “Though to prophets list I,
Which hath understood at all?
         Yea: Quem elegisti?”