1. The gazelle of morning frolics
Playing with my affliction forever

2. Swaying like the breeze-stirred branch
Its supple body bending over

3. O gazelle with the glancing eyes
That pierce my liver like an arrow!

4. O you who left the springtime’s bloom
To teach these lids such bitter sorrow!

5. Were you not content to leave me thus,
That you should rouse the dying embers?

6. Do as you will, for you have gone
Beyond all loveliness, all splendors.

7. You know how love has ravaged me,
No medicine can offer solace.

8. ’Twas love that taught me passion’s ways
Not patience, self-restraint, or wisdom.

9. O you who give the boughs their leaves
And clothe the fawn with spotted splendor!

10. Come, walk the dusky shadows’ paths
Before the shadows lose their luster.

11. Though yellow like the wine it holds
This morn’s first rain is pure as heaven

12. See how the showers spread their gift
Of emerald ornament on the garden.

13. The lightning flash makes all more lush -
New grown greenery a servant tending

14. This tender grass - while thunder pours
As from a pitcher never-ending.

15. Their spears made ready, the clouds assumed
A coat of mail and took the field, opposing

16. The sun - the crown the king of all created beings wears,
Most glorious, set with hyacinths and rubies.

17. O paragon of generosity, courage, virtue!
Fount of grace, magnanimity, glory!

18. Noble one, who walks the path
Of lofty deeds and lives life boldly,

19. Better than one who gathers up
His strength to hoard for days ahead.

20. Praise shakes his frame even as
The lion shakes its shaggy head.

21. He threads the ways of bounty, new
And old, counting their number, keeping

22. Safe their honor. His intimates traverse
The battle's dust as if a plain unending.

23. His pavilions are erected by
The spear shafts raised up row on row.

24. All this he did to overcome
His foes, defeats on them bestowing.

25. A rock, pure white yet ruddy-dark,
Unswerving, keen, and battle-scarred,

26. With four strong legs whose hooves strike sparks
Of fire as they fly forward.

27. Surely he outstrips all racers in speed,
Distance gains with utmost striving.

28. Woe to him who faulted me,
Attacked my poems, disparaging!

29. Woe to him! Before he drank
My words like wine, and they inebriated,

30. Before my sparks fell on him, flaring,
And burned him, till his rage abated!

31. I who till now have praised none
But you, till even praise was tedious,

32. Nor lingered at another’s door,
Going there once, or going twice.

33. Today of him I say the same
Words yesterday I spoke of you.

34. In all people, none but you I see,
Created for my sacrifice.

35. Give! Give unstintingly! For you
Are far above their meager ration.

36. I have transcended their domain,
And none can reach imagination!