1. As imagination circled round and climbed,
Passion stirred me with memories from time gone by,

2. Of days we spent from dune to dune,
When youth still pulsed and dreams were bright.

3. Patience lost her veil in night’s embrace
And tears that yesterday were mute found voice.

4. My secret burns, a rider on a streaming steed,
Spurring ahead when the caravan regrets its pace.

5. To the dark I whisper my despair
In tones that at dawn set the birds atwitter.

6. I draw the train of gloom and rouse me
The dove’s soft murmurs in the hush before first light.

7. Once clashing swords would stir me so,
Not cooing doves or ring of lutes.

8. I flirt with flashing blade and stain my lips
Crimson on the cup I seize in haste.

9. I ride out and choose the sword's owner as my own,
Mount the smokey steed and own the night.

10. I pierce the darkness’ heart with gallant youths,
A cavalcade whose stars the night’s sky lit.

11. I spread the secret of the dawning with their aid
But only reveled with them to delight the dark.

12. Bosoms hid them jealously from all save me,
For glory’s secret was disclosed to none but me.

13. We passed the night on seas tempestuous,
Saw Pleiades drowned while stars floated on.

14. Destiny's hand did choose and scatter them,
And glory's arrow narrowly missed its mark.

15. I drew the train of gloom with a recalcitrant camel,
And with it shot the bastion of darkness into dust.

16. My roving glance surveys the heavens' expanse
As though it pierced the gloom with studying gaze.

17. In wonder I behold the bow bent crescent-wise
By her hand while arrows speed forth uncontrolled.

18. Yearning for the past tugs me to that abode
As though it had a heart that pined for me.

19. The dove’s song at dawn excites it
And makes it twist and turn to understand.

20. But how could it know what yearning for one’s homeland means?
I made it thus—it merely learned from me.

21. Passion for that strange encampment makes me rave
But only a passion as profound as mine can appreciate.

22. It was the flashing of lightning playing round me
That clothed me in the mantle of the dark-faced steed.

23. It writhed and darted like an elusive mirage,
Dazzling me more than the darkest night.

24. When it traces a line of gold before my eyes
My overflowing tears blot its trail.

25. I carried it a coward’s heart and tearful eyes
Brave only when forbearance can withstand no more.

26. How strange that I’m a coward in passion’s throes
When I’m a warrior if the fight is on.

27. So here I stand overwhelmed at parting’s station,
My eyes rain tears while blood drips from my hands,

28. Else here my sword hangs idle in its sheath
And there my spearhead shattered by my grasp.

29. O matchless one whose beauty ignited passion,
I shot my fire arrows till your mouth gaped wide,

30. A sea of blades clashing green when winds of war
Whipped up its depths and stirred the tumult high.

31. But noble spirit scorns to be tested and tried,
And lofty soul disdains to be restrained.

32. Beauty flowed like water with hidden fire beneath,
Searing hot when stirred to rage.

33. Lightning flashed radiant in its speed and hue
Then darkened daylight’s face with clouds.

34. One day it showed me red, triumphant, blest,
While the cloud’s gloom parted to reveal its secret best.

35. Ever its gaze stokes fierce fires when it engages,
Bearing naked blades that make the bravest fear.