1. Though it be but the youth of spring with all its tokens clear,
My streaming tears excuse who sheds them without fear or peer.

2. Long I enjoyed it, though alone I weep its pure fresh air,
Its gentle zephyrs are but lovers' sighs that joy and care.

3. The clouds its showers gave to soak me, and its shades my lids
Like darkness cloaked my love, for who will right the wrong amidst the judge and jury's lies?

4. With every grief its cheek is dyed, each tear leaves a mark;
My companion and I crossed its nights whose sharp sword cleaves and sparks.

5. The empty wilderness feeds on me whether it be plain or hill,
The antelope, wild cows and fawns my company and comfort still.

6. What parts of God's creation have my camel's feet not trod?
But we are folk whom God knows well, when Fortune scowls we bear her rod.

7. Our newborns are but marked by sword, white parchment is their badge,
Would that these lines to cousin spoke what in my heart is hedged!

8. To him who spurned me, no spite I fear, though critics rail and chide.
Such is my fate and lot mid men who sore afflict me though I them deride.

9. If longing for thee burns my heart, a youth will yearn though treated cruel andwrong.
I love thee with a lasting love, time, distance and estrangement render it not unsound or weak,

10. Thou art a friend whose troth fails not, his generous deeds none can sum,
I hold by kinship's root and branch and on it all foundations plumb,

11. A brother of the sword whom use makes smoke the blade and bend the hilt many feat and victory won by him when straight and keen the steel he tilt.
Hast charge to cry against me? Let the past rest unrevealed

12. And friendship's mansion rebuilt be though late you laid its stones and field