1. My soul inclines to passion, so I restrain it -
Does a soul find peace in the blindness of its desire?!

2. Like a mare raging in her saddle, she seeks
To slip the reins; then her legs take off!

3. No sooner does she break free into the open wilderness
Than she leaves behind her moaning there!

4. A fractious soul finds peace with an owner
Who loosens the lead; so she walked under his banner.

5. If she craves, she obeys, like one bereft of resolve,
Or a torrent of love that has lost its way.

6. Led astray to evil, if she drinks deep
The wine of passion in foolishness and drains it!

7. With her debauchery the crowns of turbans were tossed -
Those who follow in her footsteps.

8. They are the benchmarks among their people;
Yet they wallowed in the mire of her wantonness!

9. When they wake in the shirt of her snares,
They do not speak - O what disgraceful silence!

10. As for him who held the reins and corrected her
When she rebelled against rectitude and disobeyed him,

11. Victory is not in the battleground of desire, but rather:
A soul that struggles against the inclination of its passion!

12. So master your refusal if you can guide her,
With the firmness of the valiant; then you will ensure her guidance.