1. For the passion of beautiful women there is a pact unbroken,
And a friend of loyalty keeps his word, never deceiving.

2. Why then does censure bar me from loving one still young?
Is not the soul's desire something fated and ordained?

3. For some of the madness wrought by love I have excuse,
Though who is there to see and understand?

4. Oblivious of my torment a critic blames unheeding,
Not knowing what kohl of the beloved has blackened his eyes,

5. Or what suffering is borne by the sleepless lover.
O you, blind to my heart, where a flame bursts its cage,

6. Let me unburden to you but a little of my inner world,
And judge as you please, for the choice now is yours.

7. Had you but seen the secrets of my inner being,
You would know what blood is shed for love of you.

8. Before your love I never knew I could endure
Griefs bitter brew, and show such patience.

9. With a mere glance of your eye you brought me to love -
A look is the frailest, yet strongest, of weapons.

10. Before the spell of those heavy-lidded eyes
I never knew how eyes of languor could bewitch.

11. They have wronged the lovely fair one, would that they knew
What magic may lie in eyes and slender shape!

12. O you who mock valiant horsemen in battle's midst,
Your lance falls short of your opponent by far.

13. What are lances to glances, what mail coats to the glance
Of bewitching eyes where beauty and magic abide?

14. No coat of mail can withstand that piercing glance,
No armour save a man when those eyes assail.

15. Loveliness has weapons when gathered all at once
Against which no defences, no wards could avail.

16. A mere look is a blade that slashes, each lovely tress
A sure arrow, the slender shape a spear's point.

17. What heart can escape with only a hint, a flutter
Of lashes, when the eyebrow's bow is tautly strung?

18. A moon he is, who progresses through hearts' stations,
Each moon must have its aspect, its time to shine.

19. Consider his turban, his cheek's radiance -
Guidance itself, though the night be moonlit and fair.

20. When he appeared beneath his cloak I cried aloud,
"Beware this one who hides his face from your sight!"

21. In my heart's tablet he is captured by my imagination
Through the lens of my eyes, so I have him pictured.

22. The electricity of his beauty has coursed through my being,
Tracing its path through artery and vein.

23. I am his, amidst a passion endless,
At trysts that bear no fruit, no profit I earn.

24. My body's a cage, thinned by care until
My heart inside is a bird that cries.

25. Were it not for breathing, a sigh might still this breath,
Making me seem a bird in sudden flight.

26. No wonder that I am under his command,
For love rules souls, and is mightiest ever.

27. The guarded king and the most cautious man both fear its power,
As does the tyrant, bold, fierce and strong.

28. When the noble youth refrains from base desire,
Love is a grace, an honor to him.

29. The coward finds strength, the greedy hope,
The arrogant are humbled before its force.

30. So adorn yourself with noble qualities, for they
Give worth to the wise and are their pride.

31. When you determine, be confident in yourself,
For those relying on others will never prevail.

32. When a man has no insight to guide him in deeds,
Who will aid him when fate turns against him?

33. Beware the low fellow's company, though he be exalted in rank,
For a man is ruined by the baser companion.

34. Some men of good repute make agreeable friends,
Whose affection enriches - while some are corrupt.

35. Consider the wisdom of a youth, not his physical form,
For it's by deeds that a man becomes great or small.

36. Sometimes a single man can rout a whole army,
While a vile crowd brings shame on their people.

37. Beauty lies in character, not outer looks -
Wisdom is hidden, does not show its face.

38. So choose for yourself enduring qualities to live by,
For what makes a man memorable are his deeds.