1. Alas for the fire of passion!
And sighs for the length of separation!

2. I sent my eyes ahead as a scout,
But before he knew it, he fell.

3. And my heart followed after him,
Until he was fully enraptured.

4. I have often chided him:
"Would that you had taken care!"

5. For everything there is a cause of ruin,
And the cause of a heart's ruin is passion.

6. Has not this disdain been enough
That even parting has helped it?

7. Where is the intimacy and its pact?
Alas, a pact with intimacy!

8. I set my course for the gazelle of companionship,
To fulfill my vow, but he dodged away.

9. I sought a kiss from him,
But he shied from me and twisted away.

10. And I set my course for the promise of union,
But he drew back from me and curled up.

11. O you who ask about my state -
Leave me; my patience is spent.

12. Once my heart was rightly guided,
But today it has gone astray.

13. It has fallen into his traps -
For each living thing, what he intended.

14. So how can I pursue passion
When my body is feeble and weak?

15. And where can I seek a helper?
Alas! Goodness has dwindled away.

16. I am left confused,
Wearied by my wandering about.

17. No loyal friend has stayed,
No companion has shared my state.

18. So O my God, watch over me,
And ward the craving from my soul.

19. And do not leave me to her
Who, if she met a star, would ruin it!