1. Is there no reaching the beloved's abode?
After patience loses all charm and grace?

2. My body aches, racked by love-sick malady;
Is there no path leading to healing's place?

3. Our long estrangement fills me now with pain
As many as the days when love grows stale

4. Can anguish fade or sickness pass away
Except through union with what hearts inhale?

5. For us dear friends bring sorrow more than joy
While patience we possess in small supply

6. The wind blows south, and drunk on youthful wine
I wonder, can a north wind pass me by?

7. When it blows gently, I find peace of mind
So gently to all hearts it does apply

8. When lightning flashed from my beloved's land
My heart was pierced by pangs that made me cry

9. I take his fingers, press them in my palm
Until they nearly slip away and fly

10. When Egypt prides itself on having Nile
For me in Damascus tears are Nile!

11. My heart is filled with more love, more desire
Prisoner of passion raging wild the while

12. I weep when parting's hurt begins to sting
And separation's coldness makes me sigh

13. Above the boughs of acacia, leaves like palms
Swaying along with longing passing by

14. The branches whisper plaintively of grief
Yet hide their tears as mine flow freely nigh

15. Both she and I are sick from absence-pains
Between us now estrangement's cloud and cry

16. Please pardon if my words seem incomplete
I know not what or how exactly to ply-

17. On you be peace, its gentle nature shames
Musk perfume. Softly now, O scented sigh!