1. Love saw the look in my eyes, so it warned me away,
I tended its affection like a young gazelle, so it galloped me along,

2. I hid my secret from it, but a tear betrayed it -
My tear allowed access to the sanctuary of my concealment.

3. What excuse can deny the burning now
That my own tears have witnessed it from my eyelids?

4. Oh companion, did you not see what love has done
To your brother the day the companions parted?

5. A day when I lost my patience - it stripped me bare
And a burning consumed my very soul - it threw me down.

6. So my heart bids you peace - for it
Followed its love and left with no restraint.

7. Alas, will it return after
The glances of that enchanting charmer have captured it?

8. The traveling women, Arabian beauties
Who seduce the minds of even the most prudent men -

9. They tempted me and I followed the devil of desire
Women are the snares of Satan.

10. I did not know, before the early days of passion,
That lions are the prey of does.

11. They departed - so what use is a pouring tear
And a hand clasping an empty lap?

12. Indeed I longed for the lightning whose flash
Our eyes greeted with the rain of affection.

13. It lingers in the bosom of the clouds as if
It were a flame wavering in a smoke-filled sky.

14. So look - perhaps you will discern its motion
Borne by the winds - striking wherever it wishes.

15. For there the nations gather and meet -
The bosoms of the lovely maidens on the branches of acacia.

16. Take off your excuse and seize the days of youth
Before old age comes and all things perish.