O Fortuna

velut luna

statu variabilis,

semper crescis

aut decrescis;

vita detestabilis

nunc obdurat

et tunc curat

ludo mentis aciem,

egestatem,

potestatem

dissolvit ut glaciem.

Sors immanis

et inanis,

rota tu volubilis,

status malus,

vana salus

semper dissolubilis,

obumbrata

et velata

michi quoque niteris;

nunc per ludum

dorsum nudum

fero tui sceleris.

Sors salutis

et virtutis

michi nunc contraria,

est affectus

et defectus

semper in angaria.

Hac in hora

sine mora

corde pulsum tangite;

quod per sortem

sternit fortem,

mecum omnes plangite!

O Fortune,

like the moon

you are changeable,

always waxing

or waning;

detestable life

now difficult

and then easy

deceive a sharp mind;

poverty

power

it melts them like ice.

Fate—monstrous

and empty,

you whirling wheel,

stand malevolent,

vain health

always dissolves,

shadowed

and veiled

you plague me too;

now through trickery,

my bare back

I bring to your villainy.

Fate, in health

and in virtue,

is now against me,

affection

and defeat

always enslaved.

So at this hour

without delay

pluck the vibrating string;

since Fate

strikes down the strong,

everyone weep with me!