1. From the memory of abandoned ruins long neglected
Does your eye overflow with melting sorrow?

2. Or is it from recalling the days of your youth
When blithe adolescence departed and fled?

3. There was a time when my dear one stayed
Loyal to her vow, neither leaving nor wavering

4. So I wonder, when she dwelt in the land of Nuwa,
Was it her sigh or her moan that wavered?

5. We sent her greetings of peace but she withheld,
Giving no peace, stingy toward us.

6. Of my past love for her house nothing remains
In my heart but sorrow at our severance.

7. She sways like the bough of a sapling, bending
Whenever she walks, a curved branch.

8. Dawn shone on her amid the tents and she appeared
Like the full moon emerging or the rising sun.

9. Oh, passionate love when first we met
And oh, for that damsel graced with charm who revived me!

10. I melt with ardour for her love and affection
And even if she is harsh I cling fast.

11. Tell my tormentor that even if my rope is frayed
And she cuts me off, I will ransom her with my soul and my tears,

12. And find sweet the agony for love of her
Though she torment me lifelong.

13. I beseech my Lord to erase her sins
And lighten her burden with my blood as expiation.

14. Her love seems an ordinance I must observe,
A tradition I honor before duty or law.

15. Never forgotten is the day we parted
When the travelling folk at dawn prepared to leave,

16. As she turned to bid me farewell, manifesting
Her distress at my departure and our separation.

17. Tears streamed over her rosy cheek
Kindling a fire raging in my heart’s depths,

18. For ardent passion was melting her.
My breathing blazed and my agony burned.

19. My streaming tears remained as escort
Beside her litters until my weeping ceased.

20. She knows secrets unseen to mortal eye
And all that her dark nights envelop and hide.

21. So ask me of her, for I’m well informed
Of all her being’s outward show and inner truth.

22. I will speak plain truth though swords
Be held over my head and ready to strike.

23. Without such passion I'd not be alone
Nor estranged among kin though far I roam.

24. How sorrow has refined me, whetting
The blades of my soul’s vigour and igniting its flame!

25. I’ve seen mankind bears no nature
To keep faith or pact lasting over time.

26. They travel the world in its own orbit
And all gain from it in days of gain.

27. They show me affection if fortune smiles
And tolerate hatred if fortune frowns.

28. Of all whose goodwill I’ve tried to cultivate,
Tilling friendship’s garden, all goes to waste,

29. Save those who are like clouds in gentle rain
Watering gardens of bounty when they burst.

30. Gardens the Pleiades have watered, now blooming
As their stars shine upon them, scattering beams,

31. While the moist clover gives off fragrance
As if the Bestower of Fragrances passed by sowing scent,

32. A steed who, when I seek draughts from him,
Grants me drafts till easing floods pour down,

33. Moving with ample, gathered strength
Yet freely granting gifts however dispersed,

34. A knight who gripped life’s sword, bold and dauntless,
Holding the hilt firm however fate may turn,

35. Fearless amid the fiery blaze of war
When the fires of battle flare up and blaze.

36. If the cave lion heard his prowess named
He would cower under armor and submit.

37. His banner flies exalted in glory,
Soaring to heaven’s stairs unfurled on high.

38. Minds are confused, unable to fathom him,
And thoughts are muted, falling short of the mark.

39. If all the world were weighed against his triumph
It would seem paltry, outclassed in the balance.

40. My dear lord, through you Heaven’s traits shine in us
And time’s countenance grows fair, thriving through you

41. As your dominion spreads, vanquishing the darkness
And the tyrant’s shadows by your light dimmed.

42. Small wonder if Heaven’s angels visit your side
With greeting and blessing from their celestial sphere,

43. As throngs of stars bow down before you
Prostrate in worship, bending down drawn near.