| 1 | A farmer of poor means suffered a grave loss when his only horse ran away. |
| 2 | A wealthy neighbor did then come calling and said to the farmer: Surely this be a sign of ill fortune! |
| 3 | With no horse to plough your fields, you shall surely starve. Better then to sell your plot, than to die a pauper. |
| 4 | Yet the farmer did reply and say: I be neither against the gods, nor surrendered to my fate. We shall see. |
| 5 | Soon after, the horse returned with three wild horses which the farmer claimed and then sold two to pay his debts. |
| 6 | Yet when his only son sought to ride the best one they had kept, the horse threw him off and he broke his leg. |
| 7 | The wealthy farmer did return and said: Alas!, your fortune has not improved. For your injured son has robbed you of your laborer. |
| 8 | Best then you sell such unruly stallion to pay for supplies, than risk dying without heir. |
| 9 | Yet the farmer did reply and say: Such trials indeed are great, yet I do not resign my affection for life. We shall see. |
| 10 | Soon after, the local Lord sent out his troops to round up able bodied men to fight. |
| 11 | But upon the son of the farmer being injured, they did move on and seize the sons of the wealthy neighbor. |
| 12 | Upon hearing his neighbor losing his sons, the poor farmer called upon him: |
| 13 | When the wealthy farmer sighted his neighbor he called out: Do not mock me in my hour of shame! |
| 14 | For the gods indeed shine on you with all the richness of good fortune! |
| 15 | The poor farmer in response said thus: Verily, it is you, not I who should give thanks. |
| 16 | For though you have never worked, you are bestowed the choicest of lands; |
| 17 | And despite your character, your neighbors rally to your aid. |
| 18 | Surely then your sons shall return. For neither the gods nor men of good conscience have abandoned you. |
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