1. Sleepless nights and the worries of adversity keep vigil,
And striving while the steeds of events gallop.

2. O son of so-and-so, advice is a clear sign -
Why do you turn away when it is offered?

3. If you do not take the hand outstretched by the enemy,
It can only, inevitably, withdraw.

4. Do you believe hearts to be sound?
Ask, and see what people's looks reveal to you.

5. You are quick to misunderstand when sorrow speaks plainly -
While time exposes you, be patient.

6. Can a sword's edge cut when the sword's sheathed?
Can a lion's fang tear when the lion's curled up?

7. If I have not been good to you, I am a lover
Who loves the noble and hates the mean.

8. In my love for your glory I am drowned -
Though I struggle to surface from its sea.

9. Has the rise of mortals in their leaves deluded you?
Does not decay flourish in the sword's bloom?

10. Draw them near, while you are able, on an evil day -
Even if you do not, your love is still a duty.

11. How much an auspicious day darkens in patience's hand,
And a night is sheathed radiant by victory's hand!

12. Between their eyes, and in their breasts,
Are no hearts content - rather, faces contorted.

13. No hand selling spears falls short for them,
No eye closing a sword's eyelid blinks for them.

14. Has a flash of a smile creased a frowning face?
Has a smooth tongue soothed for one who is ill?

15. Dreams change their dye
As night dons day and strips it off.

16. I have not seen the like of the sword, binding honor -
By it hatred's knots are loosened and untied.

17. Nor the like of the talk of malice, lurking -
Nor the like of the tracks of advice, refused.

18. Honor is but to kiss the palm,
Clemency but humiliation when you are wronged.

19. You are not ignorant in what I have said,
But the measures of God ordain.

20. It is but resolve hastening and pilgrimage hastening
While digressions in speech undermine.

21. Can a gaze show a fond gaze while a sword festers in it?
Review the glances in the corner of an eye -

22. You will find there the forms of death instigating.
Love appears only on your tongue

23. While your heart behind the unseen hates.
If the king has no fearsome limit,

24. How can he satisfy the aggressive and tame them?
And take blood-price from them and enjoy his palm

25. So a blade is polished or a hilt perfumed.
Until the sword views their heads swapped

26. For different bodies, paid in compensation.
These pages cast by the pages

27. Redden with anger while those whiten.
It sheathed anger in the page of consent

28. While my eye sees though my eyelid blinks.