because Poverty's keen to get at you in a thousand different ways –
she knocks at everybody's door, and if it's a lazy man's, she goes in.
Never threaten any man, because no one's a coward then.
A person who makes foolish threats won't take long to find this out –
because there'll be one danger on hand and another lying in wait.
To overcome dangers and get you out of the deepest pit,
I tell you this from experience -- more than by swords or spears
you'll be helped by the confidence that a man has in himself.
A man is born with the astuteness that has to serve him as a guide.
Without it he'd go under -- but in my experience,
in some people it turns to discretion, and in others, dirty tricks.
If a man's a good worker he'll make the most of the right occasion.
And be sure to keep this in your minds -- if I don't mistake the comparison --
the right occasion is like iron, you have to strike while it's hot.*
A man may lose a lot of things and sometimes find them again,
but it's my duty to inform you, and you'll do well to remember it,
if once your sense of shame gets lost it will never again be found.
Brothers should stand by each other because this is the first law.
Keep a true bond between you always, at every time -
because if you fight among yourselves you'll be devoured by those outside.
Show respect to old people, there's nothing brave in mocking them;
and if you're among strangers be very careful how you go,
because anyone in bad company is taken to be the same kind.
The stork, when it gets old, loses its eyesight, and then
all its young children undertake to care for it in its old age –
you can learn from the storks with this example of tenderness.
If someone does you a wrong, even if you think no more of it,
always keep on your guard -- because it's sure to follow
that the one who acted wrongly will speak evil against you.
No one whose job is to obey has an easy time of it,
but if he's proud he only increases the hardships he has to bear –
if you're the one to obey, then obey, so the one who's boss can act well.
Do your best not to lose either time, or your self-respect:
as you're men with power to think use your judgment when you act –
and keep in mind that there's no vice which ends as it began.
The carrion bird with its hooked beak has a taste for robbery,
but a man with powers of reason will never steal a cent –
because there's no shame in being poor but there is in being a thief.
Man does not kill man, nor fight just out of vanity.
You have, in my misfortunes, a glass to see yourselves in –
the greatest wisdom a man can have is to know how to control himself.
Blood that is spilt will never be forgotten, till the day you die.
It makes so deep an impression -- in spite of myself, I can't deny it –
that it falls like drops of fire into the soul of him who shed it.
At all times, it's always drink that's the worst enemy.
I tell you this out of love for you, and take care to remember it:
a man who does wrong when he's drunk deserves twice the punishment.
If you find yourselves mixed up in a brawl, always move further on.
Don't take a high line about it even though all the right's on your side --
it’s on the chins of poor men that barbers learn their trade.
If you give up your heart to some woman that you love,
don't act in any way that does the woman wrong –
a woman who's been treated badly will always ruin you in the end.
If singing is your profession make sure to sing from the heart.
Don't tune your instrument just for love of your own voice,
and make a habit of singing about things of consequence.
And I'm giving you this advice which cost me a lot to learn,
because I want to guide you -- but I don't know enough
to give you the discretion which you need to follow it.
I've thought over these things and many more in the times when I was alone.
You can be sure there are no errors and nothing false in this advice --
it's out of the mouths of old men that the true sayings come. *
NOTES to II.32
II.32.15] while it's hot] Hernandez reverses the original Spanish proverb ("no good beating on cold iron").
II.32.31] out of the mouths of old men] reversing the saying in the Bible ("out of the mouths of babes...")
After this, the four of them turned towards the four winds.
They made a promise between them which they were all to keep –
but as they swore it a secret I can't tell you what it was.
The only thing I can tell you -- and don't anyone be surprised,
because a man is often obliged to do things in this kind of way -
they all made an agreement to change their names from then on.
They had no bad intentions in doing it, I've no doubt –
but the naked truth is, it always is the case
that anyone who changes his name has got something guilty to hide.
And now I'll put down this instrument that I've used to entertain you. *
You must all of you allow that I kept at it faithfully -
this is a knot like a quill button* which nobody can unravel.
I've carried out my duty and now I'm over the worst,
but I'll tell you for good measure -- so my countryman will understand –
if I need a longer rope to my noose I've a good few coils still in hand.
And with that I'll take leave, without saying when we may meet again.
People who want things certain always cut where it's soft –
but I cut the hard way and that's how I'll always do it.
An eagle makes its home in a nest and a tiger in the wild forest,
a fox in a the lair of another beast -- and as his fate is uncertainty
only a gaucho lives wandering wherever chance may lead him.
He's a poor orphan, and he's the one who gets crushed by destiny –
because no one makes it their business to stand up for his kind -
but the gauchos ought to have houses and a school and a church and their rights.
And some day this accursed mess will be brought to an end.
I don't see it an easy job, because the racket's made worse
by the ones who act like carrion birds* and stand over the carcase and scream.
But God will make it possible for these things to be put right –
though it's important to remember, to make a good job of it,
that when a fire's for heating it has to come from underneath.
If the man on top does what suits himself he's within a law of his own:
be wary of his favours -- even of someone using his name -
the shade's always dangerous beneath a tree with poisonous sap.*
If a poor man's the least bit careless they crack down on him with the whip;
but I understand the way things are and the conclusion I've reached is this:
the gauchos are the thin leather that gives the best thongs to make rope.
And you must all have faith in what my tongue declares to you:
so don't misunderstand me, there's no stain of greed in this -
there'll be no leaking roof on the cabin that has this book in it.
I've been working hard and long so now give me leave to rest!
This is the point I stop at and I refuse to go on ...
This makes thirty‑three cantos which is the same age as Christ.*
So keep a hold of these words which I say as I come to the end:
I shall carry on with this work of mine till I bring it to its close –
that is, if my wits or my life don't end by failing me.
And if my life should fail me, you can all be sure of this:
when that takes place, the gauchos even out in the desert land
will feel a sadness in their heart when they hear that I am dead.
Because the sorrows that I've told are those of all my brothers too,
and they will hold my story proudly, within their hearts:
my countrymen will keep me for ever in their memories.
Memory is a great gift and a very fine quality:
and people who think in this story that it's them I've been getting at –
keep in mind that forgetting evil is a way of remembering, too.
But no one need feel offended, as I don't trouble anyone.
And if I sing in the way I do because I think it's right that I should –
it's not to do evil to anyone, but to do everyone good.
NOTES to II.33
II.33.4] to entertain you] Fierro and Hernandez merge at this point.
quill button] i.e. of quills woven into an intricate knot.
II.33.9] carrion birds] chimangos
II.33.11] poisonous sap] actually "the tree with milk", traditionally the fig tree.
II.33.14] thirty-three cantos] a mystical number, as with the thirteen cantos in part I.
fin