1. Awake, for the injustice of fate does not sleep
And the companion of affliction is the worst companion

2. Its diverse arts branch out within me
A path to sorrows, not my path

3. My soul in halves; passion neglected one
And busied him another half

4. In my liver, a fire of longing as though
When kindled by separation, a blaze of ruin

5. For the memory of days that shone on us
With delicate living, gone with gentleness

6. I kept from you, did not tell you of a lover's woe
Fervor persisted, passion languished

7. And I am innocent of the love of false friends
Their hidden affection untrue

8. My kindness to them like my harshness
And my dutifulness like their disobedience

9. I speak and my companions have forsaken my will
And yesterday walked not my path

10. Take me to the boulevards of Homs, for I
Pine for my friend of Homs intensely

11. I yearn for the olden days and seek
More intimacy though we are close

12. With open hand in generosity lavish
And face to the needy gentle

13. Of noble stock among the chiefs foremost
His family pride ancient treasures

14. When the youth were tested with passionate undertaking
He was not helpless, but capable

15. I found the bestower near to me, not them
My cousin Ali, scion of a brother

16. A man who spurns base matters utterly
And in pleasing manners utterly refined

17. Him I count my reserve in hardship and ease
And my confidante in relief and straits

18. The nearest of my cousins to me, indeed
The nearness of a cousin is to be a friend