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?"