1. You have preoccupied my heart,
Yet you are my beloved agony.

2. You dwelled in the darkness of my eyes,
By God, you illuminated the abode.

3. O gentle masters of my heart, be kind,
O firmly gripped masters of my reigns, wait.

4. I accept only aloofness from you,
So burden me with love alone.

5. I who have tasted in your love,
What Qays tasted of Laila's love.

6. I increase you with all the love I can,
More than the enamoured increased their craze.

7. O kohl of the eye, what sin have I,
Make my fortune black kohl to you.

8. O soft of ear, do the reproachers
Gossip of love and convey words?

9. O you who turn away your kindness, no no,
Who made you turn away so easily?

10. You poured what does not awaken passion,
While you do not awaken to insight.

11. Why did you not tell the branches about me,
As the branches told you of my form?

12. You made your comfort a revelation,
And that is scarce in love.

13. Yet you seek solace from me,
How can the soul's master be consoled?

14. Persist in estrangement or wait,
Perhaps after aloofness comes union.

15. The tidings of your pleasure to me,
Are almost equal to your arrival in reality.