1. In the late afternoon a carriage
Carried its passengers on their journey

2. Through the ups and downs of hills
And between hard and easy terrain

3. Rolling smoothly on its wheels
Leaving tracks in the earth unaware

4. It wrote without ink, too hard
For pens, letters without any ink

5. A vehicle roaming the land restless
Like a bird flitting from nest to nest

6. Disdaining weariness or complaint
Except for the whip's strict urge

7. Bearing youths, all fine and worthy
Some speaking of hopes still ahead

8. Others of life already passed
Conversing as it glided on unswerving

9. As if it set a goal to meet the sun
Where it sinks while the land still glows

10. Until when it reached the wilderness
Stretching out yellowed at its edges

11. A wheel broke off and tumbled down
Shattering a rock into splinters

12. The passengers grew uneasy, disturbed
By the adversity they now faced

13. Scattered, their order now dispersed
How many patterns unravel into chaos!

14. The sun poured out its rays to clothe
The earth's surface in a coat of dust

15. The horizon glowed red as if
Enraged at fate and passing days

16. And the people's hearts perturbed
Were restless as if on hot coals

17. Among them a buxom maiden
Alluring, with a witty tongue

18. Wept copious tears like a weakened vine
As the sun sank in the west

19. Dropping pearls and petals of roses
Two suns - were it not for their bond -

20. Would not have wept for separation
She turned her eyes in panic

21. Like a startled gazelle in fright
When a youth like the dawn -

22. Nay, he surpassed the dawn - approached
And said: How strange! Why do you weep,

23. Moon-faced beauty?
She replied: I fear the night will trap me

24. How desolate is the darkness in this waste!
What I dread most is my blood spilled

25. By the wicked traitor's villainous hand.
Woe is me! Henry the accursed -

26. Though you know not - is the son of Death!
He lies in ambush so no foot

27. Or breeze can pass by unopposed
My wretched fate! The road that leads

28. Me home lies in the grasp of the unworthy.
Truly I know my feet hurry me

29. Relentlessly towards my grave
The youth retorted: Do not despair!

30. Your fear will not avail you, pure one.
Take courage and rely on me

31. For I will protect you from Henry.
She said: I fear to impose

32. On your delicate, tender youth.
But he assured her: Do not fret or doubt

33. That I am confident of victory.
Reassured, the ship of the desert sailed on

34. As if untouched by any flaw
And the restless night surged

35. Like the soul's turmoil in the heart
As though hopes were boundless

36. And the sea rose and ebbed
Its stars shone out

37. Gleaming pearls and brilliant jewels
The moon rose in spite of

38. Lofty clouds trying to hide its light
Shedding beams with the hue

39. Of smooth skin and lips' sheen
As if the fair one rose

40. From her bedchamber or a castle's doll
And the wings of darkness recoiled

41. In shame, while the moon revealed all
The paths were illuminated

42. For the mount, once vague as the sea
Galloping like an arrow in flight

43. Or a phantom rushing on its way
While the riders reveled and rejoiced

44. Chanting the finest poetry
Until when they reached a pass

45. The mare halted, rousing from a stupor
Lizette and her companion dismounted

46. Following afoot after the trail
The excellent steed dashed off

47. Continuing its gallop and flight
The beauty walked on, downcast

48. No rambling or arrogance remained
Where could she ramble when assailed

49. By cares, some as heavy as stone?
She tasted no wine, mistaking it

50. For what gives joy when spirits burn low
In a forest whose twisting paths

51. Mimic its colors, folds and growth
Winding paths widened just barely

52. For the wolf and leopard to prowl
As dark as the darkest night

53. Though many a night shines bright
The shining moon contended with it

54. As the infidel contends unbelief
It bent protectively over a gazelle

55. And wild cat - have you seen stranger bedfellows?
A falcon and pigeon - how bizarre

56. The pigeon takes refuge with the falcon!
Yet she escaped unharmed

57. Despite the evil in its nature
She walked on, followed by one whose sins

58. And burdens were hardly minute
Long was their trek, long their march

59. But the night is ever fleeting
When dawn broke, darkness lifted

60. Like a veil, the land could be seen
The woods where she wandered

61. Were about to reveal her, shameless, to the river
She turned to her companion, eyes brimming

62. With magic, face blooming with joy
And said: No danger remains

63. For us to fear or heed!
See, dawn is about to wipe out

64. The bright stars' glow
And I see it creeping into darkness -

65. Can this be the creep of gray in your hair?
I hear the birds' voices rise

66. Among the date palms, stray camels and lote trees.
The youth replied: Was I ever in danger?

67. She exclaimed: How strange! Do you not know?
So he told her: I was never in danger,

68. For my companion was none but Henry!
She recoiled in terror but he said:

69. Do not panic; listen to my tale!
I was never evil, nor am I

70. A man who finds evil pleasant
Rather I am an age that passes

71. As ages have passed among men
Indeed I brought danger to a band

72. Itself dangerous to the helpless
They killed my father wrongfully

73. So I killed them lawfully
To me, justice means its course should run

74. No safety between them and me
No safety between wolf and rat

75. They will see, in death, just vengeance
With none to intercede or prevent reprisal

76. By God, I never forgot you, Father!
Nor was placated for your murder

77. She said: You have stirred my ardour
So I am yours, whatever my fate

78. The King summoned my father and brother
Together to the palace

79. My father lies in his grave
My brother in prison's shackles

80. O my arms, you are severed!
Time's betrayal deserves severance

81. My tusks and claws are blunted
After you, with neither fang nor talon

82. Woe unto the injustice of time upon us!
And woe unto all who are fooled!

83. We are like death grazing
On our souls, ceaseless and persisting

84. When she finished, wonderment seized him
Bewildered, as if spellbound

85. He wanted to speak but dumbness held him
Eloquence confined under duress

86. Just so, she was entranced
By her inclination for this strange youth

87. Sister! she cried, drawing near to him
With the wide-eyed gaze of joy

88. And as he removed his cloak
Concealment lifted to reveal all

89. Sister! Victor! My soul! My twin, my treasure!
They embraced and the youth wept for joy

90. For steam is born of heat
And down both cheeks tears fell

91. Like drops atop flower buds
Tell those who complain of fate:

92. There must be sweet and bitter
Show patience if faced with calamities

93. For hardship surely ends in ease