1. I bestowed while my beauty still veiled,
For the kindness of dusk, the sin of dawn.

2. I trusted the whispers of slanderers,
So trust not a tender cheek or slender form.

3. Draw near without fear of censurers,
Or dread of the sharp tongues of defamers.

4. I wonder, did I kiss a mouth,
Quenched by its coolness, or a cup, by its wine made glad?

5. A salute without unlawful intimacies,
That would shame the creeper or ruffle a wing.

6. Tormented am I by a soft-spoken lover,
On my trace, while the tribe sleeps.

7. He blames my tearful passion for him,
Strange the ways of love! He blames passion itself.

8. When will our dwellings rise over the sands,
And the covenant of old be in the blood renewed?

9. How could such a one as she grow old,
When musk and youth breathe from her wings?

10. No hoary hair made the raven of night bolt,
No graying lock gave voice to the pendant tuition.

11. Never was she daunted by the taunts of slanderers,
In her courtyard, though spears should encircle its floor.

12. Her banners were effaced by her stewards,
As writing is rubbed clear by the writer’s erasing hand.

13. I fancy her breath, sorrowful and woeful,
Scored the cheek of the morning breeze.

14. My authority cast down the censurers, so I rose
By the sway of youth and the rule of whim.

15. And I roamed, the horizons my territory,
The lands spread desolate before me.

16. Pacing me, lightning flashes from storm clouds,
Stars shooting arrows above.

17. With the chivalry of the wastes surrounding me,
No hearth welcomed them, no steed could wander at dawn,

18. As if every man of merit scorned
Injustice, bold-faced and bare.

19. How could one be cast down who drives the steeds
To the mighty king, before whom all are humbled?

20. He saw the wine-pourer of desires at his feast,
And the guests grew merry when the goblets sparked.

21. Only when the eyes of the hopeful weep,
Does the face of dawn smile and turn bright.

22. If song fires the hearts of the folk,
I poured it into verse, though verse can bitter and bite.

23. Praise moves the shoulder of Glory toward one,
That movement’s the soul’s repose and delight.

24. No man of honor fails to preserve his word,
Nor he of dignity to respect his given pledge.

25. His fearsome ire promises forgiveness,
Rational, secure, yet jests in good turn.

26. His face seemed cool when greeted,
Yet savage when the bold transgressed limits.

27. His blade is bloodied, his spears are notched,
As the lavender’s sprigs are nicked and gashed.

28. Fine the upbringing of the noble ones, they returned
His jibes against the inviolate quarters.

29. They regained confidence after fear,
Storms passed and turmoil quelled.

30. Hooves don’t slip, though racing
Over fragile eggs strewn cross the sands.

31. Hands slacken the horse’s rein, and it dashes,
What a marvel! In dew, yet the year is dry.

32. Brothers to kings, though of different breed,
When summoned to war or ready for peace.

33. The open-handed free every pauper
From pleading, though hands clench in greed.

34. Heroes rest, their goal the frays,
In the eve their coats are mail and armor.

35. No raven wing grew sable in gloom,
No ruddy cheek paled, flushed by joy.

36. What reform ends corruption?
When all are righteous, no fear of evil.

37. Seas of knowledge, hopes to fill,
Cycles of peace, valiant struggle.

38. Though clouds promise rain then barren the land,
Their faces shine as the showers pour.

39. You crush bold hearts accustomed to war,
When you shed blood, combat, and gore.

40. Their palms grasp the chance to gain advantage
Stirring opportunity, seizing what comes to hand.

41. You know them for men who speak clearly,
When they talk, by their eloquence and diction.

42. Mount they steeds, no feet touch the ground,
Dismount to earth, the soil a carpet beneath.

43. Ask they for the engagement of beauties,
The doves scatter untouched by desire.

44. High bride-price is the blood of the foe,
Best trousseau is the swoop of the blade.

45. Religion triumphs, and the world thrives
By the Grace of God and nobility of deed.

46. Why lavish ornate verse upon you
My ode begins and ends in praise?

47. All you command is yours to spend,
As if your bounty has no end.

48. You have left me no recourse,
No solace in your nearness found.

49. I watch you captivate the virtuous,
While I am shunned, set apart, outcast.

50. My soul is known to all mankind,
Yet you alone decree my bitter draught.

51. Who hopes for riches without you
Seeks battle devoid of arms.

52. I stare at faces of false hopes grown pale,
Fortune spurns me, no solace can I quaff.

53. How many spotless brides you have wed
To understanding, one dawn or eve.

54. Matchless beauty, none compare,
Who else could fate malign but I?

55. Whom do I gift the necklace of my verse,
Whence reap the jewel of eloquence?

56. Protect my bonds of love I pray,
My thoughts dwell on you, no other path.