1. They rose when night's darkness fell, and the paths
Of ruin diverged, so some were guided, some misled.

2. Ask me not about the flowering field when ties
To it were severed, wandering lost, none to question.

3. Some tribes the beasts of prey made captive; a band
Grew thirsty, and where was a spring for the thirsty?

4. The hot wind lashed their faces with its flames,
So they crumbled feebly, and sought pretexts.

5. A group kept riding the wasteland constantly;
They stumbled on a trace, so the halt was too long.

6. Some bands placed the guide ahead of them
And travelled on, winning what they had wished.

7. The night was winding, desire's course
Could not be travelled easily by the humble.

8. The successful ones were few. How not?
Emptiness, a murky night, they were remote.

9. O mercy for lovers who dared to penetrate
Perilous passes, relying on difficulties!

10. Their passions carried them off, so their minds
Grew reasonable, not reasoning as minds do.

11. Forgive me, people of passion! Your affair—
I have surrendered to it. So speak and act.