1. For my eyes longing to see her, is there no rest?
Or are tears forbidden to flow from their lids?

2. Her phantom came and awakened us,
Announcing itself with its fragrance -

3. Was it the seal of musk broken and scattered?
She has a coquetry full of allure,

4. That ceaselessly excites our passion for her.
Her rosy cheek when it blushes red,

5. Is kissed by her glance, stealthy and desirous.
And she has charms that show you strung pearls,

6. As if they were, whenever she displayed surprise, a necklace shattered.
If knowing something were enough to make you ignorant of it,

7. Your hints would have sufficed instead of open declaration.
Why did I approach my adversary and make a pact with him

8. When he turns away from me disdainfully?
And strange things were fabricated for me which I chafed at -

9. Maidens in place of vineyards, and demolition instead of buildings.
Until I chose matters which I used to reject,

10. For a thing once rejected may one day be chosen.
And my years have gone back on undoing their knot,

11. And all that my years have tied is now undone.
Will the length of Ibn Nasr's life ever yield,

12. Words repeated from the tongues of narrators?
Like the golden scabbard, the hand of its craftsman

13. Has adorned it with a blend of gilt and engraving.
Misfortunes and events pass away, but rhymes

14. Neither disappear nor do the technical styles of verse.
When a loyal follower tries to count his favors,

15. Bounty refuses to be heaped on the thankful.
He gave generously but no one rose to receive it,

16. Like a stallion guarding his herd, neighing loudly.
His ransom is one whose nature is gloomy,

17. Immersed in the dark, barred from attaining glory.
Indeed, I will thank you, for gratitude is a duty

18. Binding on the bearer of a benefit.
Which constellation of your gifts has not blossomed?