1. My beloved, I see no shame in love
So reproach me not, for I've cast off restraint

2. How can one show patience when his heart
Is near bursting with passion's fierce complaint

3. Desire has left my soul dying in her
To perish again and again for love's sweet pain

4. Though we're both lovers, I less can endure
Parting from her, so little fortitude have I to sustain

5. When I said I would forget, passion called me
And lit in my heart a blaze of longing fire

6. It twisted the braids of one with a throat melodious
As if adorned with gleaming beads of ruby entire

7. Passion robed me in the garb of love-madness
And made it my habit and cloak to attire

8. Can you not see that in Damascus' land
I obeyed passion and drank love's elixir

9. I drank it and a young wine-pourer chastened me
Though young, for the young I hold much desire

10. The pouring of coffee by a lovely cup-bearer
Banishing cares and cheering the spirit with cheer

11. A goblet of rich wine which when clinked
Sends sparks flying up from its crystalclear

12. I nearly made Damascus home for the love
Of wine, though forbidden in religion most austere

13. I plied him with drink until when at last
His eyes grew drowsy with tipsiness sincere

14. I rose and kissed him and embraced him
And loosened all modesty's bonds sincere

15. The scent of jasmine heightened my fervor for him
As we lay among the fragrant flowers without fear

16. A poet of great skill wrote verses about me
That showed admiration for my passion sincere

17. Say to me, though you're displeased, we're content with you
For though I seek not the virtuous, your friendship I hold dear