1. Have you seen what palaces and abodes,
Adorned with splendor, for people dwell?

2. With litters that carried ladies fair,
Dark-eyed, with gazelle-like gentle eyes.

3. Radiant suns in veils that scarce
Uncover save in darkened rooms.

4. They plundered the necks of sturdy steeds,
And from the rosy-cheeked beauty stole.

5. They gleamed through the tents' shaded depths
And banners shone brighter with their light.

6. When they bid farewell on camels white
Waving branches of crystal in hand.

7. In speech as fluid as prose they told
Of a love to make one weep in rhyme.

8. How wondrous the halt of the caravan
Where tears fell on cheeks in floods!

9. The warriors departed and left behind
Only howls of wolf and moan of dove.

10. Knights of daring raids went on their way
Without her, champions stern and brave.

11. Swaying smooth in her litter-seat
Is a love I find limitless.

12. A beauty mail of warriors can't withstand,
A passion my stricken heart can't escape.

13. Maid I've guarded, chaste I've kept
Dark girl who's left me burnt with love.

14. How perplexing, chaste one, your ways!
Reason strays confused, for all its worth.

15. Does this come from my deafened ears?
My crazed heart? My broken gaze?

16. No wearisome toil has her love caused
Except my brief resolve gives way.

17. Oh queen of gentle grace, graceless
To troubled souls you've left in pain!

18. By God, your love has silenced me, though
My only complaint's the muffled sigh.