1. Alas! May God destroy love—how it was created!
And you will only meet it as troubled and bitter.

2. No lover grows fonder of his love
Or reproaches her for their affection, without them parting.

3. The tryst with singing girls was sweet, but when it was over
Their vulgarity was revealed, and I took my leave of them in disgust.

4. For a while this heart hung suspended,
Like a gazelle adorned with a pearl necklace and sapphires.

5. The boughs give, in the evening and at dawn,
Plucked branches, softly bending, inclining.

6. Thousands for the erring spirits and for the soil
When the sun’s brilliance in summer flares up!

7. The shabby Mullah waylays the helpless old woman—
Now pulling her shawl, now clutching at it.

8. Feeble his voice, but pleasant his allure,
Bashfully glancing, walking with tripping gait.

9. When saffron and musk are blended,
Their scent grows even sweeter and more pungent.

10. You’d think the silk chemise on her shoulders
Was a twig of willow with trailing black stripes.

11. The black of the twig highlights its whiteness,
As drops of perfume splash white silk.

12. She beckoned to me with eyes of desire—
My heart quickened with longing for her.

13. She leads it where she wants, and it obeys her
Like a shepherd with grazing sheep, driving them on.

14. When I say, “Gently, heart, leave her alone,
The one whose eyes have lured you,” it looks down and falls silent.

15. By God, whenever I open the door of speech about it
It pushes me back and quickly shuts the door.

16. They keep saying, “He said...she said,” seeking to appease
An old confidante who was always so concerned about me.

17. They invite, but we won’t be first, you see, to love—
Not when this blame from you is but a pretext.

18. Many before us have set this love in motion
And led the noble man to love’s submission.