1. My friend, stop to gather fragrant herbs
And turn away from slander before you two part

2. Don't rush me to speak of my need
Stop, for I have been given a provoking sickness

3. I cannot forget what she offered us
In her haste to depart and nurse us

4. Her words were like the whimper of a bereaved woman
Do you recognize the one who turned away?

5. He who gave pledges to keep his word
Until I was pleased and said he would not break them

6. And claimed he would not change, for he
Was striving to please me all his life

7. By God, if I found another like her
She would admit what they both borrowed

8. So I turned my hearing toward her, as if
I had kindled coals of anger in my heart

9. I turned my she-camel and said to my friend
Look, by your life, if she flashes her eyes

10. He said, she already flashed her eyes, I said go to her
And beware if she refuses your words

11. She said to him, By God, your Lord, say to him
Some words that may move him, perhaps he will relent

12. You have burdened me with grief, if the like of it
Touched a mountain one day, it would crumble

13. She looked to me for reward for her promise
A whole year passed by before it was fulfilled

14. So I answered her: If I say forgive and pardon
It is I who has no excuse for what has passed

15. She claimed I had turned away, and if she knew
I could not find her love to be transient

16. I will never please the slanderers with her estrangement
Even if advice is little and spurned

17. I obeyed the slanderers so they multiplied
Malicious and spurned talk against me

18. I complied with the informer, as if I
Had shut my eyes in the bonds of a trusted friend

19. It is foolishness if a man pleases his friend's enemy
By estranging himself from his friend’s hatred

20. Go back and visit her at night, for I
Fear the usual one with her may turn away