1. Have you not heard the cooing of the doves as they sang,
Unaware that I am one of those they've wounded.

2. I did not suggest what they sang at dawn,
Yet many attain what they desire without asking.

3. My eyelids are burdened with sorrows
That know no sleep as they await dawn.

4. So tell the healer of my heart after recovery:
"The sick man you healed cannot be cured."

5. Jesting has truly pained me with rejection,
Though jesting has often delighted people.

6. What of the heart were it not for its lifelong anguish
From a descending misfortune or departing comfort?

7. O you who deprive my eyes of sleep, while remaining awake,
My eyelids have been wounded by my tears for you.

8. Within me are two opposing forces I cannot resist:
Fire in my heart, and water from desire that flows.

9. You have blamed a heart fettered with love.
Had it accepted advice, it would have taken advice!

10. He is wise who drinks the clear wine in gulps,
While the drinker of love is too weary to be called wise.

11. Yearning has not left my heart since they blamed
It for its youth, but it has left.

12. Though the hair on my head has turned white with youth,
Inciting, by my disobedience, those who blame and find fault.

13. I wish I could hasten to drink from the cup of separation
Sorrows in draughts, not as a happy gift.

14. Would that the beautiful, swaying camels,
With howdahs bearing misery, were slow, lazy beasts.

15. They shortened their journey from me, so sleep by it
Was brought to the tents of Mudar and those who journey.

16. I sought it but did not attain what I wished
Of the separation whose afflictions I prepared for.

17. I love a moon from the living that does not rise for me,
And a desert gazelle I wish would come to me.

18. It refused to glance at me fondly,
Would that it had not vanished from the eyes of love!

19. My patience had been hardy before I loved it,
But now my patience and resolve are erased.

20. A visitor visited me while the night was dark,
And dawn in the fist of darkness not yet shining.

21. As if it were a phantom arousing yet meaningless,
The glimmer of a flashing lightning that flashes.

22. Had he visited me while my eyes were awake
I would have given him the thanks he deserves.

23. He brought delight to my eyes and
Banished the anxiety from my heart and bitterness.

24. A visit I passed sleepless, benefitting,
Though often a visit does not bring us joy.

25. He allowed me to enjoy his company, but he will return
To where he dwelt, in what he permitted.

26. My friend, if someday you want me to agree,
Then you've exhausted trials and succeeded.

27. God spare me distraction, openly and in secret,
And make your call to me far-reaching.

28.
Do not provoke me with foolishness,

29. And do not make your abode or home with me spacious.
I am not made happy except by those

30. Whom men have praised me for, so do not seek to make me happy.
And when people begin the day delighted

31. With glory, be embracing glory and beginning with praise.
Who will be my protector from the people, dignified,

32. Taking my path when I turn toward it?
You see him while fate varies in its ups and downs,

33. Not accepting humiliation as he accepts gifts.
And if he passes away no misfortune of fate troubles him,

34. Nor is he led to valor if he becomes discouraged.
I swore by the house circled by a group

35. Of adherents, touching its corners or caressing them.
By the idols whose remains the earth covers

36. As they reached the climax but did not attain comfort.
By the pebbles the pilgrims throw at Minā,

37. And the sacrifice in the valley of Minā slaughtered.
By my witnesses on the Day of Standing at Arafat

38. Asking for bounty from the generous who pardoned.
I unpacked in the shrine precincts,

39. What no mortal unpacked rising ambitiously.
I was granted success while all the people

40. Went astray from it, a path to good repute not opened.
Era was a brute before my virtues

41. Plugged its hideous flaws and defects.
I surpassed a people who were measured with me,

42. And none of the people weighed heavier than me.
If I strive it is in mighty nobility,

43. While those who strove for worthless things strived.
I remained an ace while the rest of the people were two's,

44. And I was a pole while those around me strayed.
What burden when men grew weary

45. Beneath this back of mine that carried heavy loads untoppled?
I blocked my people in the era of youth from decline,

46. And they did not decline in old age or weakness.
So how many times did I stir and ignite the land into flames?

47. How many people were worn out without lighting a spark?
Tell people I planted righteousness among them

48. But gained nothing, while many planters gained.
Would that the love your beauty roused in me

49. Had not streamed through us, for it or trickled!
Would that I had never known you

50. And had remained far removed from your land!
My chest has been discomforted and constrained by you

51. When it had been, before I knew you, relaxed.
So do not attempt to reconcile with me,

52. For nothing remains between us to reconcile.
Had I repaid your evil with your evil

53. I would have barked like the dogs of the neighborhood if they barked!
No water-drawers would have quenched you from the water spouts,

54. Nor would you have attained when people attained.
Do not be spacious toward me with shelter or dwelling,

55. Spreading what you desire while I shrink!
You would not have found relief in times of distress,

56. Or attained joy in times of ease.