1. The talk grew long upon you, O ye who pass the night in converse;
And in your eyelids sleep could find no home at all;

2. And the night now is past, its stages gone forever,
So that continued wakefulness is hopeless afterwards;

3. Your resting places, O people! catch then pleasant sleep
With eyes that ever night-watching has kept open;

4. Will any eye reject sleep if 'twere offered,
Save mine, and yonder stars, and the passing moon?

5. Long did I question self how this dear friend could leave me—
He from whom I ne'er looked for such estrangement;

6. And lo! a sandgrouse in a trap entangled
At sunset to its fate by destiny was brought;

7. All night it strove with cares, heart-rent and anxious
For its escape, while night's wings overshadowed;

8. And in his hole her young one all night trembling
Lay, fearful for the mother's coming, waiting;

9. Fear stirred his vitals, everything alarmed him,
The breeze's breathing or the whispering branches;

10. Worse is my case than his when my friend left me—
Would he had ne'er forgot me! Shall I make excuse?

11. O generous youth, canst thou forget I am a man
Dependent, after Allah, on thy favour?

12. I am a warrior, do not break with me,
Turn to me, slave am I—how shall I make amends?