1. Is the best of life earnest or a tear from my eye?
Greet him who pledged with the two palms,

2. Passionately loving the one whose appearance journeyed
Like the planets course between the horizon's curves,

3. And reminded me of her protection of the sanctuary,
A lightning bolt gleamed, flashing between the two clouds,

4. Her face shone radiantly
Like the sunrise between the two easts,

5. I delighted in her beneath the fluttering shadows
The delight of the fortunate between the two gardens,

6. And the wine between us was not
Sweeter than the wine of the two chalices,

7. We were as the madness of love desired,
Two intimates in closeness like two turtle doves,

8. But when the meeting place grew distant,
Oh how distant between my patience and me!

9. To which side do I rest my heart
With the fire of youth on both flanks?

10. I did not forget her the day they departed with her,
The melody of a heart and the companion of an eye,

11. The distance of home and the sun of day
Melt my heart with the two embers,

12. She gestured with her hand when they rested,
How it lengthens the heart for the two hands!

13. Who will excuse me in my request
To where I see justice itself twist and bend?

14. The qualities of perfection and the secret of beauty
Brought together the two wondrous ones,

15. It shows you harshness in her heart
And reveals to you softness in her two wrists,

16. In her height is a second to the rod,
And in her face a third to the two lights,

17. If you wish a flower, from her mouth,
If you wish a rose, in her two cheeks,

18. The confidant of love hopes for her embrace
While the arrows of her eyes stand guard,

19. They pierce hearts when she shoots
From a bow of slightly bent eyebrows,