Who has the eel by the tail

Who has the eel by the tail
and the woman on faith,
can surely say that he has nothing.

Who writes in running water,
and who has trusted in fortune,
and puts faith in a renegade
and takes air as a foundation,
and what is said as a document,
and faith in some woman,
can surely say that he has nothing.

Who takes patience from the angry,
and also transport from the oars,
and the fruit of all extremes,
and clemency from the lion,
abstinence from the goat,
mercy from women,
can surely say that he has nothing.

Who feels compelled to tie up smoke
and to take wax out of the fire,
and turn black yellow,
and make a spark without flint,
and what is quite uncommon,
find a woman who loves him well,
can surely say that he has nothing.