Section: Imperatrix Mundi (Empress of the World)

Fortune plango vulnera I bemoan the wounds of Fortune
stillantibus ocellis with weeping eyes
quod sua michi munera for the gifts she gave me
subtrahit rebellis. she treacherously takes away
Verum est, quod legitur, what is written is true
fronte capillata, that she's hair on her forehead
sed plerumque sequitur but when it comes to seizing an opportunity
Occasio calvata. she's bald

In Fortune solio On Fortune's throne
sederam elatus, I used to sit elatedly
prosperitatis vario crowned with
flore coronatus; many-coloured flowers of prosperity
quicquid enim florui however much I flourished
felix et beatus, happy and blessed
nunc a summo corrui now I fall from the peak
gloria privatus. deprived of glory

Fortune rota volvitur: The whel of Fortune turns
descendo minoratus; I go down, demeaned
alter in altum tollitur; another is raised up
nimis exaltatus far too high up
rex sedet in vertice sits the king at the summit
caveat ruinam! let him beware of ruin
nam sub axe legimus now under the axle we read
Hecubam reginam. Queen Hecuba