1. Will you unjustly slay me and deny my murder
When my eyes bear witness to you as my just executioner?

2. My camel is lost; none but he can find it.
With his eyes he has magic; seek from him my camel.

3. He stole my heart; when I came to reclaim it,
I asked for it back and he stole my reason.

4. With the soul he stinted with the chill of his greeting—
Had it asked my murder, I'd have given my murder.

5. When I come to her, she turns her face away shyly
So she estranges me with a sweeter estrangement than union.

6. If she judges me, she oppresses me with her judgment;
Yet that injustice is sweeter than justice.

7. I concealed my love as best I could, but sorrow
Stripped it bare, this weeping traces it, that dictates it.

8. I loved blame for her sake with love of her mention—
Nothing is sweeter in my heart than blame.

9. I say to my heart whenever sorrow constrains it:
“If you refuse honor, have patience with disgrace.”

10. I exposed myself to love by your decision, not mine,
By your command, not mine, by your deed, not mine.

11. I found love a scabbard for my death kept sheathed—
I drew it then leaned on the naked blade.

12. So if I am killed unjustly with no uncertainty,
It was you who exposed yourself to being killed.