1. He recalled the days of youth and grieved,
And wept for the springtime of vanished youth.

2. For days of carefree joy gone by,
Drained of the wine of pleasure sealed.

3. So I let flow a shedding tear,
Not knowing if it flowed as water or blood.

4. And desire stirred tumult in my heart
With yearning sighs of burning flames.

5. Whenever my heart recalls the beloved,
It aches for those bygone days.

6. What pains me most is the pact I’m used to
Now empty, its people gone and lost.

7.
The first abode lies in ruins, its people destroyed,

8. Spoils to the ravages of time.
I passed by it and playgrounds halted me

9. Where I drew the cool draughts of youth.

10. I could not recognize the ruins now barren
Figments of bygone loved ones.

11. Truly their trysting place was blessed nearby
Now accursed when they went away.

12.
Strange is it not, though strangeness abounds,

13. An eloquent one moans to the youths in a foreign tongue.
Asking the ruins about one who left them

14. Where he settled and pitched his tents.

15. The ruins would have pained to speak
Had they the power of speech.

16. The homes of loved ones he hastily urges his mount
To reach, though its flanks are torn.

17.
The swaying reins cannot still his painful longing

18. That left no rest for his cheeks.
His mount’s hooves disdain to tread blood

19. When his eyes behold it they recoil.

20. If friends treat me well, desire treats me well,
If they blame, love returns to blame.

21. My two friends, will you not make your brother happy
When the living brings his mount saddled.

22.
Can you still, though the beloved have gone far,

23. Help one passionately obsessed with loved ones?

24. What use is help when they are far beyond reach
Like the ostrich fleeing the wounded hyena?

25.
When those tabernacles are raised from the sanctuary

26. And the guide calls at the resting place.
He calls me, maddened by desire’s anguish

27. To what I cannot grant nor you.

28. My eyes, this is the stance of parting, so weep
Tears that relieve the agony of loss.

29. When parting comes and they prepare to leave
I have no choice but to hasten them off.

30. I roam the desolate downs destitute,
Sharing the wild his lair.

31. Though ravenous, graceful gazelles accompany me
Yearning to follow the noble gathering.

32. Apart from the base born and vile
Whose nobility and clemency shame.

33. I ply the mirage sea which ripples
To engulf the darkness of night.

34. With me a swift ostrich of India
And a tawny steed with a smooth coat.

35. And one of resolute will when the bowmen waver
And recoil from death on the day of battle.

36. Horsemen of war with hearts that never weary
To meet foes and piercing blades.

37. I wish to be where once they were in the land
For life without them holds only despair.

38. Were they to visit and so end our separation
And mend the rope of parting torn.

39. Were they to heed my laments which are but
The agony the passionate youth complains of.

40. I gathered them while the abode joined us together
In the shady trees’ intimacy and affection.