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, ever waxing and waning; hateful life first oppresses and then soothes as fancy takes it; poverty, power, it melts them like ice. Fate, savage and empty, you are a turning wheel, your position malevolent, vain health always dissolves, shadowed and veiled you plague me too; now through the game my naked 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