1. My heart melts for a ruin where love dwells
From the memory which makes hearts ache.

2. For a time I drew aside the veils of neglect from it,
When misfortunes do not come round.

3. Neither does any toil afflict the people in it,
Nor in it are they touched by wasting diseases.

4. I rent with it the garment of every smiling cheek,
And tents and cheek-veils were torn.

5. Many a beautiful, delicate, proud-necked damsel
Has sung in its court.

6. Revealed were their abodes plainly,
And the wild cattle were roaming.

7. Oh would that the days were as we knew them,
And would that departing fortune might turn back!