1. I say to my friend, and one who shares my woe,
Like a man in pain complaining of his pain:

2. To two brothers like them, when cares besiege him
And sleepless worries his repose restrain:

3. "A while ago, at fortune's height superb,
I rode a camel that excelled the steeds of Thamim's strain

4. But when her charms unveiled before my eyes,
A rill of tears flowed down in copious rain,

5. With languid lids, and cheeks gashed deep, a mouth
Pouting like paired Sirius when the Dogstar's bane,

6. Her friends, not I, stood near her, stooping o'er her,
As stoops a nurse to whom an infant clings in vain,

7. With necks unadorned: they lived a life of want,
Not luxury and delight and joy's bright reign."