Part 15 (1/2)

XLIII

Do ye imagine to rebuke words?

But the words of the desperate are spoken to the wind.

Will ye even a.s.sail me, the blameless one?

And harrow up your friend?

XLIV

But now vouchsafe to turn unto me, For surely I will not lie to your face.

I pray you, return; let no wrong be done.

Return, for justice abideth still within me.

XLV

Is there iniquity in my tongue?

Cannot my palate discern misfortunes?

Hath not man warfare upon earth?

And are not his days like to those of an hireling?

XLVI

As a slave panting for the shade, and finding it not, As an hireling awaiting the wage for his work, So to me months of sorrow are allotted, And wearisome nights are appointed to me.

XLVII

Lying down I exclaim: When shall I arise?

And I toss from side to side till the dawning of the day;[203]

My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust, My skin grows rigid and breaks up again.

XLVIII

My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, And have come to an end without hope;[204]

Remember, I pray, that my life is wind, That mine eye shall see good no more.

XLIX

As the cloud is dispelled and vanisheth away, So he that goes down to the grave shall not come up again; He shall never return to his house, Neither shall his place know him any more.

L

I too will not restrain my mouth, I will speak out in the bitterness of my soul.

Am I a sea or a sea-monster,[205]

That thou settest a watch over me?

LI

When I say: ”My bed shall comfort me, My couch shall ease my complaint;”

Then thou scarest me with dreams, And terrifiest me with visions.