1. She came swaying like a bough, while the bough was withered,
And glanced with a tender, amorous glance, though lulled in sleep.

2. A sand-hill spotted with lines of trees, graceful in motion,
Mocking the firm rock when she makes comparison.

3. Of the short-statured fair, with languishing, wounded passion,
Delicate, soft as the tear-drop, gentle and friendly.

4. Her teeth surpassed the full moon on the night it is brightest,
And lodged in a dimple, as the new moon lies.

5. When she glanced towards the mild one, he was inflamed with yearning,
And consumed by suspicions, apprehensions and doubts.

6. She came to my abode, swaying while night was at its darkest,
As a loved one had come, to give comfort and cheer.

7. Not as flowers garlanded the meadow, moist with night's drippings,
As her necklaces garlanded her, like brides at their wedding.

8. The thread of life made it laugh, till its light was reflected,
While lonely it had been, with thoughts to distract and confuse.

9. The hands of the winds clothed it in something like paintings,
Embroidered by a skilled horseman wielding his sword.

10. Till when day dawned, the foreign land was adorned as a garden,
Whose keeper no visitor has greeted or met.

11. The flowers on his sleeves shine out with his brightness,
As flowers with the sword of the galaxy guarding its bloom.

12. The gentle breeze sports with it, and the tender boughs sway
Of the guardian tree, gentle themselves, offering hospitality.

13. The singer of the orchard arose, warbling gaily,
On him a shirt the rising sun had woven and wrought.

14. The leaves respond to him with the tunes of the lute,
Cheering him on as friends, singing harmoniously.

15. It reminds me of days of horsing around, so I swayed
With a heart full to bursting with cares and misgivings.

16. With beauty better than this when first she appeared,
Greeting me as gazelles greet their fair companions.

17. Who was it clad the youth in his coat of many virtues,
Rousing him on towards lofty and noble ideas?

18. He climbed the loftiest heights of civility and breeding,
Who could equal him? Who could claim to be his peer?

19. O son of great houses, exalt then with pride in their glory,
For they have no part in any glory but yours.

20. I sent a string of verse like threaded nights, relating
The pearls of my tears when the sessions came to an end.

21. You taxed me to reply, and wished me well in so doing,
A question desired, but where could equivalence be found?

22. I will confirm for you some scattered gems that tell
Of brides of flowers whose bloom the cranes have despoiled.

23. If in this can be found anything pleasing to behold,
Then I take my share of light from your noble qualities.

24. Beyond this, my message walks in shyness, glancing
Sideways in modesty, while eyes dart longingly.

25. At your door she hopes for acceptance and favor,
That she may find intimacy and friendship with you.

26. You still endow a companion with the finest manners,
As long as schools have taught any art or knowledge.

27. No starling sings melodiously in the gardens, and no lover
Sighs, departing in sorrow, hopeless and full of despair.