1. He passed by us, a full moon
Dragging clouds in his train

2. With a tall, swaying figure
And a cheek flashing with light

3. Reciting while the night lowered its veil
Illuminated by his shining face

4. Many a night have I spent awake
Repelling with my eyelids his dazzling rays

5. Until the night swayed drunkenly
And tore its dark garments

6. And there flew from its breast a raven
Whose long life had turned it hoary

7. My torment redoubled
And I rinsed my throat with a draught

8. But he went straight on his way
And turned not back though I summoned him

9. Between my eyes surged a sea of longing
Storming wildly on my cheeks

10. Light glowed from his face
And passion flamed in his heart

11. A meadow, soft and shy
A singing flower-garden

12. Shaded by a veil that screens
The beauty underneath its drape

13. On which smiles a rosebud
Sipping from its brimming cup

14. And in it lightnings flash
Dyed red as with henna

15. As if it were a lily-white palm
Measuring out the water of life