1. When moonlight floods the balcony
And bathes you in its glow

2. Like a dream or insight’s radiance,
As you lie on your bed of dew,

3. Like a slender lily,
Draw your naked body close

4. And spare me that beauty.
I envy any watcher

5. As if his light were a song
That makes hearts quiver with longing when it croons.

6. Smooth to the touch, a young gazelle
Smitten with any beauty,

7. Bold enough, if passion calls, to storm a fortress!
He slid down from behind a cloud when he saw you, and hesitated,

8. Then softly tread the earth,
Ripping through its gardens.

9. I marveled at him—how did he seize the corner?
How did he penetrate the thorns, scale the branch?

10. Your cheeks hold the wine of youth
That he poured out nearby.

11. An eternal balm flows from the vine of temptation
Into your breasts, two spells

12. That captivated me.
He probed their treasure trove

13. And plotted to storm the fort.
I envy, I envy if he kissed that mouth

14. Or curled round your tender form!
For his light has a heart

15. And his sorcery has an eye
That ensnares the innocent wave in her depths!

16. How many nights, when longing called
And he drew near,

17. The tyrant abased himself before you
Like a child complaining of deprivation?

18. He wanted, but gained no kiss.
He hoped, but held no embrace.

19. Your arm encircled him lightly
While you made him nothing!

20. You disobeyed his passion so he turned angry,
As if he held a demon in his chest.

21. He left with the drunken glance,
Crossing plain and sorrow.

22. He stirred the night to hatred
And clenched his chest in rage.

23. The child returned a tyrant
Shaking the universe!

24. So bolt the crimson balcony
Away from the shameful nest.

25. Spare me your beauty from the chaos
Of this passionate, obsessed lover,

26. Lest people think your boudoir
Hides some scandal!

27. How you have disturbed so many nights!
How many moons you have eclipsed!