1. Awaken a little, O ye two sleepers,
And make happy if ye make happy.

2. Are ye ransom for my night, O ye two,
Or are ye of some malady returning?

3. Weep not for me when dead, but weep
For me alive with tears unrestrained,

4. And be not as 'twas said of the trace
Of trackers after once the tracks were plain.

5. Long hath the night drawn out on my sorrow
As though its night were two nights joined in one.

6. Why are the stars of night intelligent,
When one therefrom hath not kept fixed in place?

7. As though the eagle when he tried to rise
And soar were crippled by his pinions twain.

8. And the full moon - his very light betrayed him
Till scarce made out from feebleness his wane,

9. As though the night a tent of hair had pitched
And split its sides where the ropes strove amain.

10. And the night's wings from long sojourn were grey
That erst the dawn awaited, wild with fear.

11. Till when he donned his raiment wrought of saffron,
And over the horizons broadcast it in air,

12. He shortened his train in fear and hurried his step
As the shooting stars reddened his front in fear,

13. And in his clutch he held from out his fulness
A rainbow or a cane with reddened grain.

14. I spent it wakeful, while my eyes
For overmuch of sorrow rained and rained.

15. I lost this heart for want of friend -
Can ye two not another heart obtain?

16. And from his apple cheeks I crave
Some fragrance...

17. And indeed men shot my lot awry...
Make ye me then a parable in love...

18. I'm satisfied if but one glance I've had
For I am clad in sickness from its train.

19. It left within my heart a coal that when
Dampened, flared up beyond two other coals.

20. It cowers all night to love exactly as
It cowers to searing heat...

21. And if I say "Dread not" and solace find
In patience, it says "Nay, I am base-born."

22. And this from me who looked not save one look -
How would I be if she vouchsafed me twain?

23. A glance - naught but a pint to be drained off
And love - naught but a wallowing in shame.

24. O branch festooned about which creepers twine,
O star the horizon with its fires adorn!

25. After this bridling can one hope for union
And after estrangement can one stoop again?

26. Where do our meetings tend, toward what goal
In the far end of union with a stroke of pact?

27. Where is our vying, safe from all reproof,
In the fair tilting yard of joy secure?

28. Now by God's Chosen One, if I should die
And he who prays my funeral pray began,

29. Fear not thou the upbraiding of a fault-finder -
My blood thereby was spilled and left profane.

30. I swear by Holy House and dangerous pledge
And what Mecca containeth, and al-Akhshabân too

31. You are in my heart though to estrange I'm chidden
Till those who chide me their revenge obtain.

32. I conjure you before God, return one glance -
Perchance He cures me of all ills but one...