1. O my people, for passion apportioned,
And the heart in darkness of its drunkenness blind,

2. And the moment when it led me and made me
Prey to its snares amid bloom and ruin,

3. My blood was shed by Bakr unawares
My slayer exulting, no boon conferring,

4. And I said to Bakr, surprised, "You were bold!
"Is it your glory, or no wild game winging arrows at?"

5. That but the soul knowing itself desires
Its like, and the heart of the bereft aspires,

6. For I am a branch of Fahr of Banu Malik
His renown, and branch of glory ever striving,

7. Though she said I could not attain their tryst
They hope not, save at the hajj to meet and converse,

8. And I said to Bakr as we left at night,
"Do not fall short, or run ahead from the secret."

9. That slave-girls may hint to me of she
Who saw my heart, and yet felt no distress,

10. Would I had not met her that year,
No pilgrimage made, nor talked together,

11. Would her I disobeyed and whose censors I defied
Had discretion, and not shed my blood,

12. We came to a castle, from eyes and slander aloof
And the vitriol-tongued enemy's censure,

13. With a hopeful glance, and another to beware,
What an affair between misery and bliss!

14. When night darkened she said to Kharrud
Like wild cows in a shackled drove marked,

15. Graceful bodies, silent wastes,
Filling the gazer's eye, ever striving,

16. With swinging chins, their talk a boast
Accepted by them whatever the contention,

17. My eyes twitched, and I fancied
'Twas the Caliph's closeness they claimed,

18. They said, "A wish or a jest
Whose disgraceful import you would convey?"

19. She said, "Go together, I command you,
For your sake submissive, obedient, precede me,"

20. "Before you one to scout the way," and sent
A girl, a lively witted one, smiling,

21. And said, "Walk ahead, be before us
From the sneak I dread, do not speak,"

22. She rose and did not, and slept, unable,
They said, "Rise!" She rose, not a word,

23. Save gestured as if she were drunk, so they seized her
Like one drinking forbidden drafts sealed,

24. When we met at dawn, each with secret intent
For her I showed my joy, smiling,

25. Oh night I spend wakeful, pillow-propped
Whenever I wish, after sleep, most generous host,

26. Given sweet cool saliva, clear draught
Delicious, redolent, perfumed,