but for their sake my heart does ache,
with many a bitter throe:
and it's o, fickle fortune, o!
i once was by fortune carest:
i once could relieve the distrest:
now life's poor support, hardly earn'd
my fate will scarce bestow:
and it's o, fickle fortune, o!
no fort, no fort i have!
how wele to me were the grave!
but then my wife and children dear—
o, wither would they go!
and it's o, fickle fortune, o!
o whither, o whither shall i turn!
all friendless, forsaken, forlorn!
for, in this world, rest or peace
i never more shall know!
and it's o, fickle fortune, o!