Jan KochanowskiOn Healthtłum. Jarek Zawadzki
1My good and noble health,
Thou matter'st more then wealth.
None know'th thy worth until
Thou fad'st, and we fall ill.
5And every man can see,
In stark reality,
And every man will say:
«'Tis health I need today».
No better thing we know,
10No dearer gem we owe,
For all that we possess:
Pearls, stones of great finesse,
High offices and power
— One may enjoy this hour —
15And so the gifts of youth,
And beauty are, in truth,
Good things, but only when
Our health is with us then.
For when the body's weak,
20The world around is bleak.
O jewel dear, my home
Awaiteth thee to come;
With thee it shall not perish.
'Tis all for thee to cherish.