1. O youths of the Nile, O fairest of youths,
And O cubs of fierce lions in their prime,

2. I have this reproach which I address to you,
Though reproach may seem strange when friendship is due:

3. I see a group of you walking with haughtiness,
Noses in air as though walking on clouds,

4. Like lions in the forest, arrogant and vain,
Yet in combat you are no lions of the plain.

5. Your hands were made for plucking flowers,
Not wielding swords, nor writing in books;

6. You take great pains to mimic girls,
Unlike them only in veils o'er your curls;

7. Your sleek oiled hair recalls the lightning’s glow,
Or the shooting stars that in heaven show.

8. The morning breeze makes your locks undulate,
Like clouds that a gentle wind does agitate.

9. Your robes match the rainbow’s hues,
With buttons of pure gold in profuse,

10. Under them your body sways in its grace,
No garment can veil its charm and its grace.

11. You take no pride in noble deeds,
Yet great care you give to your clothing and needs.

12. You fear no loss, yet you dread indeed,
If dust soils your pants or spotted your steed.

13. If addressed with less than fulsome delight,
You pout and protest in injured despite.

14. Though not yet twenty, you deem it right,
To question the wisdom of the old and the white.

15. How many girls in this country have shone,
Yet spurn all suitors, and live alone?

16. If one of your youths sets his heart on a girl,
He hangs at her door like a starling or merl,

17. Though fair as the peacock in shape and in mien,
He is cawing for handouts, no eagle I ween.

18. How beauty is pestered by those it entices,
With cosmetics and curls and artificial devices!

19. Say to those who would beauty despoil:
Can you grasp it by force, can you grasp it through guile?

20. When the wolf dons the fleece of a lamb in this clime,
Who will guard the flock from the fangs of the crime?

21. I scorn the young fop who appears like a girl,
Smooth and beardless, a weak untried churl!