1. A draught of water quenched my thirst,
and I remembered where the flowing springs are.

2. The one whose love pierced my heart dwells in Sajar,
while my beloved is a Kufan, keeping his distance.

3. So I said to my companions, as they were departing,
"Neither of my two sides is open to one bent on leaving.

4. Both your two dear lives have become a home
whose bowls are filled with nothing but poetry.

5. Ashʿath's face is bright again now that the nymphs have healed it,
and ʿAysa begins to spend her nights and awaken at daybreak.

6. Like a tongue-tied shepherd guarding horned ewes,
he pastures them in Maruf's meadow during the nights of flowing waters.

7. He pastures them unafraid, distracted by their beauty,
as playful gazelles and promises distract him.

8. But then he saw only seven who had overwhelmed him—
gazelles wearing necklaces around their throats.

9. For them it was death and for him death was near,
molten and frozen on the edge of his cheeks.

10. Had he wished, he could have saved himself, but he was not confounded,
for he has an absent one who did not make him suffer and one present before him.

11. But then he yielded to them, from time to time resisting
and from time to time pursuing them playfully.

12. So it was no wonder, except for them, while he was as if
he were a shooting star, frightening them in midair.

13. Whenever he tossed in their midst, it was as if
he were a twisting serpent, disappearing among their chests.