1. If the southern winds shake the slender boughs,
My tears alone can bring rain to nourish them.

2. I try to be patient if I can,
And sing to soothe their ache if they’re hurt.

3. I sing to entice the scent of blossoms,
And burning passion kindles but their breeze.

4. Those branches have known no betrayal,
Though I chide them when they bend away.

5. Passion rules my heart and it obeys,
While my withered soul calls out its grief.

6. Still fresh are memories of my darling,
Each soul pines where its love once dwelled.

7. I dream of Layla though beauties abound,
But she shines peerless like the sun.

8. I bury my love fearing harm,
My pallor and the marks speak of my pain.

9. My destination is but to reach her dunes,
Not where thought or purpose or desire lead.

10. Ask about my devotion if you know not love,
My knowledge and passion will convince.

11. I marvel that sleep comforts my eyes,
While my heart melts for one who hurts me.

12. Oh blessed was the day we parted,
Had my heart been stone instead of affected.

13. I tried to restrain my torment staying mute,
But broke into tears, with her watching me.

14. How many bright days has my eye dimmed,
How many sweet nights restored my aged heart.

15. When night hid our whispers I'd smile,
Our secrets nestled between us, soothing me.

16. That doe care not how the lovelorn fared,
Empty of ardour or sorrow was she.

17. I asked the flirts how her beauty destroyed,
Feigning weakness, pardoning fault so freely.

18. Ask not how her smooth cheeks turned pallid,
But how their hearts grew cruel and stony.

19. The nights stretch long while slumber is brief,
Nothing can settle my heart or calm it.

20. Were it not for fanciful hopes, sorrow would kill,
The sweetest dreams are but lies that fool me.

21. How often has the April cloud generously rained,
Else the meadows wither for want of my tears.

22. Those gardens never bloomed in gladness,
But thrived on the showers my eyes released.

23. Will my tender gazelle show kindness,
To one whose misery has left its scars?

24. With playful glances her eyes give sickness,
Then life and death to her smitten lover.

25. My claim of passion explains my frailty,
My tears plead while lamenting reproves her.

26. May God hide in the pupil of a lovely doe,
Who grants mercy that never dims or ends!

27. You are of this age and its people,
So no wonder you give little of yourself.

28. I loved you and the world taught you cunning,
Else the trials of Job would unveil your truths.