1. The clamor of life wearied her, so she fled
Wanting life in the shade of tranquility

2. Leaving behind the palaces and their gardens
She took refuge in the palm grove of Ziziphons

3. Drinking the pure water of the pond
Getting drunk on the fragrance of jasmine

4. Listening to the sad song of the birds
Softly on the branches of the trees

5. She remembered a sacred world where she slept
Free, between houri and spring

6. Filled with the bright overflowing light
Which all eyes see unveiled

7. She remembered it as a pure world
Where she spent thousands of years

8. Yearning for it-but what use is yearning
When loved ones are far, however long

9. She had remembered it but did not restrain
The tears that misfortune drew

10. Weeping though free in her prison
No wonder at a captive's tears

11. I consoled her, though she rose early
To recite the ancient book of life

12. And said: Tear up that book
Which stirs regrets and kindles sorrows

13. For the wretched, their wretchedness grows
When remembering days of bliss

14. You are bound by chains fate forged
To debar you, by evil decree

15. You ask me for a gentle breeze
Alas bringing breezes is hard for me!

16. You ask me for the zephyr of gardens
Pure...but this is the wind of hell

17. So do not inhale it, for within is the poison of exile
And who can bear poison?

18. I pardoned you, so flee the land, and seek
The sublime and generous abode near the stars

19. For life there is fragrant as this vile world
Among the stars

20. Do not grieve for the body, mere dust
Returning to its source in time

21. Tomorrow it becomes among the wild thyme
A flower nature clothed in dawn’s hue

22. Kissed in its mouth by morning
Ruby lip-print on its cheek

23. The breeze blows gently to it from afar
Love easing the road’s sorrow

24. Until there passes by a girl
Who plucks it with a gesture kind

25. Places it in a happy spot
Where no confinement breeds despair

26. Now kissing one breast, now
Kissing a cheek pink as the anemone

27. Later sending it as messenger
To carry a stirring letter of desire

28. Good messenger between lover
Of languor and lover's dwelling

29. O soul, among those stars
Look upon it, do not deny me

30. Look upon it, radiant
On the breast of a bride in her litter

31. Look upon it, scattering
The remnants of perfume, then balm

32. Look upon it, old companion
Say peace, and peace will respond

33. Remember our days, remember
Your time on earth, year upon year

34. Will you reject the body's new form
Though it was your abode before decay?

35. Reject its brilliant hues
Its scent as sweet as lavender?

36. Do not wonder-this withering
In its leaves was also my disease

37. This redness-my tears
This perfume-my passion

38. Fate destroyed me but for the wretchedness
That rejects it, and but for raving love

39. I have vanished into these creatures
Yet longing for you has not faded within me