1. I see a breeze blowing, revealing my inner passion,
So who among you is closest in understanding my plight?

2. The meadows of peace and flowing brooks,
And shaded bowers that protect from heat and cold,

3. When the gentle winds stir through them,
Cooling the surface of the pond with a chill.

4. As though the morning breeze tosses questions of numbers,
Or plays a game of chance upon it.

5. Spring has made its home in its chambers,
And provided it generously with the Nile’s bounty.

6. By God, how often I’ve had pleasant times there,
Strolling to the beautiful cheek, or a tryst;

7. When Fate had not yet slighted a pact, or betrayed
A system, or borne hatred towards a lover.

8. Its suns revolve above us auspiciously,
And its stars spend the night in happiness over us.

9. O Lord of a night that wraps us in its gown,
Embracing, as the morning wraps mist and dew!

10. With kisses following kisses from her lips,
As the thirsty drunkard savors the wine.

11. A girl who seems as though God formed her glance
To wantonly pierce the secrets of hearts.

12. She has coquetries for every greeting,
That drive her prey wild with passion.

13. When she struggles playfully with the goblet, her curling tresses
Scatter roses from the apple of her cheek upon us.

14. How delightful the day her tears raced
Against her passions and the spathes burst from the branches!

15. I’ve seen no glance so murderously affecting
And no eyelids so deadly in their blows, not even Irfanda’s.

16. It’s a sin if the eyes don’t shed blood
Over separation, and the heart, if it doesn’t melt in agony.

17. So my heart, how bitter is the parting of home!
And my tear, how copiously it flows! And my beloved, how far she is!

18. And my companion, keeper of secrets, I have strayed;
Is there a leap that can earn praise?

19. I swore an oath by that which her veil concealed,
And what an oath! How it burned and glowed!

20. Never to rest my eyes from the ritual of weeping,
Or my breath, if it cannot die of passion.

21. How can the heart wake from its lovesick stupor
When the magic of eyes has extended it with all they extend?

22. Were it not for sobriety, I would not reveal a secret,
But the flowing cups make one babble nonsense.

23. Who can help my heart hiding its passion?
How can fire conceal its heat?

24. No union but a memory that awakens sorrow
In the soul, until it cannot bear rejection.

25. Sleepless I stay with burning eyelids, frenzied
All night, while my neighbors sleep.

26. So sleepers, while longing keeps vigil,
Does no one buy wakefulness with reward?

27. He who seeks a human guardian is humiliated,
And he who expects gain from fate is denied.

28. Beware being fooled by a friend’s nature,
For he who thinks well of fate, has erred.

29. For long I tested a confidante, but he did not shelter me,
And oaths, but they were not kept, and help, but it was of no use.

30. People are but seekers, never finders,
Of what they desire, or finders, misguided from their goal.

31. Do not suppose people to be of a virtuous nature,
For not every long-necked one is a heroic camel stallion.