1. You drew near a house though arriving is out of reach,
So your drawing near, O intimate friend, is out of reach.

2. You and the heart you have filled
Are like the ribs pressed against the heart.

3. I was veiled though your perfections that
Adorn you, O noble Imam, were not veiled.

4. I lost in protecting, though I was negligent, and thus
Is wasted the musk as it exudes its scent.

5. You are but the eyelid, always near its eye
To be blinked when the eye would see and weep.

6. The full moon must be veiled and distant -
Its rising is ordained and compulsory.

7. The pearl in its shell is no stranger
When the crown falls from it though still lofty.

8. It establishes the honor of generosity for some time
Then removes from it the seal, O base one.

9. It will reveal a lovely flower as its wrap opens,
For that is not of God's artful making.

10. And the darkness reveals the brilliant dawn,
Especially when its rising is near.

11. As if over those meadows, O son of nobles,
For it there are camels' resting places.

12. Where it shows you the land as if shriveled
With whiteness upon whiteness radiating and coats of mail.

13. And the horsemen of war for whom neither distant
Nor lofty and high are distant or lofty and high.

14. With that, be not surprised, for I say
You in the deaf month are hearing.