If a friend suddenly Became Neither friend, nor a foe, But then; If quickly you can’t judge His grit, If he’ll go through with it - Then take him to the peaks, Risk it! Don’t desert anyone To it, Let him be tied as one To you, There you’ll know who he is. If a lad in the hills Alas, If swiftly he blunders Or falls, If he slips on the snow Or floe, Stagg’ring, and by his cry Shows you his flaw, he’s a Stranger Don’t pursue him by curse Press on: He won’t be welcome above And here For his deeds, none will sing. If he doesn’t complain No pain; Let him have gloom but persist Insist, And when you fall from cliff Or crag, He will moan But he’ll hold If he went as to war With you At the peak you will stand Absorbed For that view, he’ll be the same Next to you, count on him.
© ?. Translation, 2006