1. My darling blames me for my neglect
Go easy with blame if you can't excuse me

2. For I have spoiled an elderly woman
Veiled, with dyed lips

3. Whose skin is wrinkled except when
It's reddened with saffron

4. When she entered and spoke to me
She kept me back for a day of bliss

5. Speaking of times gone by
Until I heard the clear call to prayer

6. She said "I married two different men
But when they were with me, they divorced me

7. And four others I married died
Would that a living groom had married me!"

8. She said "How many children do you have?" I said "None"
"I have a braying donkey and two beds

9. An old fur coat and four ragged gowns
And a worn out gown that won't pass inspection

10. And two broken pots."
She said "I'm satisfied, now pay the thousand"

11. So all could hear what the witnesses say
"But I don't have a ready thousand for you

12. Not nine, or eight or seven or six
For you I have only deep humiliation"