1. My beloved, will my torment caused by passionate love be relieved?
Or is anguish and the agony of separation destined to persist?

2. For I am infatuated with the anguish I suffer,
Like one who is thirsty, while my heart wails like one who suppresses pain.

3. And I have tears whose clouds begin
To pour down my cheek when smiles appear.

4. It is enough of sorrow that I melt away in my youth
And complain of her to whom I was passionately devoted but who had no mercy.

5. She enjoyed the kisses from his cheek in the garden of wishes
While my heart was burning with passionate love for him.

6. My youth and carelessness have passed away except for traces
That renew for me times gone by.

7. It is as if I never divided my time between morning coffee and evening wine
And never enjoyed the soft caresses of maidens.

8. I never stayed up late at night engaged in flirtation
With a charmer whose mouth was sealed to mine beneath the veil of darkness.

9. When he passes around the goblet, I imagine
He is passing around a crescent moon rising in the clouds.

10. Abu Hassan, I hold fast to loving you,
So will you one day shield me from your disfavor?

11. I have made you the arbiter in my soul and heart
Hoping you will be satisfied, for you have now become the supreme judge.

12. Do you wrong me when I love you and does no one still remain among you
Who can be hoped to redress injustice?

13. The brows of your father were the seat of glory
And the best qualities adorned his noble forehead.

14. How much the surface and belly of the earth have borne
Of dark chambers from every firm and resolute man!

15. Lords wearing tattered shirts of fine fabric,
With trailing garments and determined hearts drew their sharp swords.

16. No long absence on your part has distracted me
From loving you or kindled the fire of sorrow in my vitals.

17. I have for you many a greeting
That I carry though the winds move sluggishly.

18. Whenever your name passes my lips,
I imagine it to be musk that has permeated my whiskers.

19. Yearning for you stirred my steed into excitement
And it sacrificed its cheeks out of love and ran swiftly.

20. Even if I were in my grave and you called me,
My bones would tremble beneath the ground.

21. I will show you sincere affection so long as the morning breeze blows
And so long as doves moan on the boughs of trees.