A Seeker is Stronger than a Keeper
I valorously seek (without falling silent,
always every day) a girl.
Deceitful Eiddig keeps
4 his little lively girl, gifted with good sense.
He watches oppressively [with] a violent look;
stronger is he who seeks, through a blade and a frown,
than he who keeps from a mischievous lad
8 his beautiful girl on the brow of a green vale.
It's not easy to keep a splendid fair girl
from a thief [who's] looking craftily.
When I watch, my occupation
12 (aiming [my] gaze) is the same as a thief's.
Obstinately (it was an admission)
he keeps her (it was wretched);
more obstinately (deep wound of violence)
16 am I trying about a girl.
A lover, because of his admitted position,
if he seeks that which he loves, he will not sleep.
A watcher's pain, dull early-riser,
20 he'll be sleepy, [with] a mind refusing [to concentrate].
I am very similar (because of the boon of a great gift,
a great and proud gem) as regards Morfudd
to the horse who sees the oats from his enclosure
24 and does not see the hedge.
I for my part without avoiding the enemy
see the chastest girl
and do not see (boldest claim)
28 her black partner (fair and bejewelled [is she]).
May God not see the man of rigid words,
he for his part will never see me.
A pupil will not be more crooked
32 in the head of a king, a land's ruler.
I am stronger, where a blue pike is raised,
than him, he's been frightened.
I shall visit ([girl] of the most radiant lineage)
36 the houses of my darling while I live.
May I suffer cold if I stay away from
[a girl of] radiant colour, a summer sun,
(an armed occupation for a payment of presumption)
40 because of him who keeps her, golden and beautiful forehead.