If a friend turns out to be
Not a friend, not a foe, just so-so
If you cannot at once understand
If he is worthwhile or not

Risk taking the lad into the mountains
Do not abandon him alone
Let him be tied together with you
You’ll then understand who he is

If the lad in the hills is weak
If immediately he complains and comes down
A step on to the ice, and fright
One misstep, and cries out

Then beside you is an outsider
Do not berate him, instead chase away.
Ones like that are not taken up, and here
They are not sung about.

If instead he did not whine or complain
Perhaps frowning and scowling, but went
And when you fell off the cliffs
He groaned, but held on

If he went after you, as into battle
Drunken, stood on the peak with you
Then, like on yourself
You should rely on him.