1. Listen well, whoever aspires to be praised as a poet
Say to him not to repeat or express overly

2. She came to Damascus as an unripe date
With, around her neck, a collar of gratitude and praise

3. And she was married off to one not her equal among people
So she went astray in those dwellings, lost from the right path

4. She saw every house whose door was locked by stinginess
And blocked with plaster and hard stone

5. And the brutal night overtook her, so she wandered in confusion
No doubt a young woman fears the soldiers

6. Loneliness in a strange land terrified her
So she stood on her feet, shaking like a little bird

7. With her robe torn, her bodice undone
Her pants lost, her breasts exposed

8. She says, “God has lost an old man and lost me
And guides whoever He wants, though He knows not who He guides.”

9. She said, “Can I see any sign of jealousy now
To protect my honor?” So I said to her, “I am here.”

10. She said, “Perhaps this is the house of Ibn Munjik
The ruler of Damascus in Syria?” I said, “Yes, indeed.”

11. So I greeted her courteously
And lavished my soul upon her and offered her my cheek

12. And enjoyed myself with her, making her think
That I could regain my youth when alone with her

13. So I said, “To whom have you come?” She said, frightened,
“To that monkey in the company of monkeys.”

14. And she sang a verse the likes of which I’d never heard
That pierced through the heat of time like ice.

15. “Dear brother, your resolve, if even partly gained
From unstable money, would fell the lion’s charge

16. And that one who does not pay for a single hair
Even if the tresses sprouted on his noble steed.”

17. I thought to not prolong her stay with me
And she feared the threat of expulsion and banishment

18. So I said, “Live comfortably and rest your eyes
For it is righteous to host widows seeking charity.”

19. “Stay as long as you wish to leave us
And go wherever you want, without expulsion.”

20. She said, “I’m not accustomed to seclusion
Nor was I raised in the lap of chastity from my cradle.”

21. She left suddenly like a flashing lightning
And cried the crying of one in anguish and ecstasy

22. I said, “For whom do you wail?” She howled
“Alas the donkey is dead from exhaustion!”

23. “And I have bad luck—if I threw just a little
It would afflict all who come after me.”

24. I said, “To which perversions do you belong?”
She said, “I was the wife of the baboon without marriage contract.”

25. So I said, “Go wherever you want, despicable one,
Returning without inheritance or dowry.”