1. Do you know the house whose dweller has departed?
It crumbles into rubble on the hillside plain.

2. A house where Bahana once smiled and sported,
Like the cold brilliance of midwinter rain.

3. It stretched its height till balanced and righted,
That none who saw it found a flaw inside.

4. The best of it is like a doe's white hide,
While all below is rubble without light.

5. Not time itself, nor yet the trysts it plighted
Can bring the loved ones back it once did hide.

6. Those were but promises which led astray
Deceivers who delight in causing pain.

7. Hyfa walks there, her lover at her side,
After their passion and the torment's stain,

8. Towards her neighbor's house she makes her way,
With hand at waist to ease the ache inside.

9. Yes, and the youth's true standard, when cloak's displayed,
Is like the Lion's stars when night-clouds fade,

10. As though the rain-filled clouds were pierced and swayed
By winds blowing the fringed foam aside,

11. Musk and ginger undulate in his braid
After the curls' oblivious cascade.

12. Leave that be, though she I love upbraided,
And knew not why I made her so afraid,

13. Came in the night to scold me over wine
And dalliance with slave-girls she decried.

14. I said "Patience, though I'm led from wisdom's line,
Madly I stray, there is no sense or guide."

15. For if I live without you, I'm resigned
To be in death forever at your side.

16. Are we not like those before who pined,
And drank the drought of love unsatisfied?

17. We are the same as those now left behind,
And increasing avarice brings no pride.

18. Then do not blame me for my nature, find
Me honor, wisdom, piety beside!