1. On a night when the stars flickered anxiously
As the moon withdrew to a distant horizon

2. I spent it alone, intimate with worries
He who befriends worries, befriends sleeplessness

3. My soul wanders lost in a valley of sorrow
My eyes shifting between eyelids heavy with sleep

4. I lingered until the breeze began to blow
Carrying the groans of my aching heart

5. A sad specter appeared to me in the dark alley
Slipping in amidst the gloom of darkness

6. Tossing off the night's veil of hiding
While the entire neighborhood was fast asleep

7. When I drew near and saw it
A beautiful maiden peered through the light of dawn

8. When she saw me standing there
She covered her face with her palms, that planet

9. I calmed her with gentle words
Wait, I have understood nothing but the good omen

10. This is a lad who mourns his feeble state
Nothing is beyond God's power to make right

11. She lowered the veil from her rosy cheeks
Two hands revealed the glowing ruby

12. And answered me in eloquent speech
That of an Indian beauty, do you know her my friend?

13. What is this strange encounter
When India is like a hunted gazelle

14. When India and her beloved
Are set apart, oh India, what has become of happiness?

15. She fell silent, no longer aware
My cheek drained of all color

16. I stood over her, weeping
Until she awoke crying and wailing

17. I had to help her regain her senses
Her tears elucidated when words could not

18. I learned how her happiness had crumbled
And what arrows had pierced her heart

19. I had known India ten years before
A beauty in her poor father's lap

20. No mother, no family, no helper
Just an elderly father, strict and stern

21. I knew her as our seamstress neighbor
Sewing night and day

22. Lovely but virtuous
Rich in character though not in means

23. Beirut never saw India on any path
Other than to the nearby mosque

24. No fashion or jewelry graced her dress
Only an awe-inspiring grace and charm

25. One day a wealthy friend visited me
From the flourishing town of Baalbek

26. No sooner did he glimpse her beauty than he wished
To be spellbound by her enchanting glance

27. He began to ask me about her
Passion stirred now that he had fallen in love

28. Her poverty encouraged him
For plucking this gazelle seemed an easy game

29. He whispered to the Sheikh his secret longing
The Sheikh rejoiced at this fortune

30. And our neighbor was joined to the Prince
Exchanging her rags for a fine gown

31. Bangles adorned her wrists
Diamonds glittered on her fingers

32. And she traveled with her beneficent husband
Enjoying a carefree life

33. India took her father with her
To spend the autumn of his life in comfort

34. Dragging out his days in luxury
Until the appointed time came and he died

35. India remained, mother of a tender child
And her husband loyal in fidelity

36. But cruel time, that traitorous scoundrel
Can strip joy and sow adversity

37. Five years she spent blissful with her love
In that pure and unspoiled union

38. Then his noble nature completely changed
And he replaced the innocent with the depraved

39. He took to practicing all manner of vice
Squandering his wealth in gambling

40. Enslaved by the habit of alcohol
Becoming a pimp for every shame

41. Thus changed the state of the miserable woman
She and her child were plunged into hell

42. Despised, isolated, hopeless
Weeping for the old days of purity

43. Five years passed in prosperity
Then five after full of misery

44. In sleepless sorrow and pain
Affliction, torment, and tears

45. He wasted the money and sold the houses
Leaving no possessions to live on

46. Sold every bracelet she owned
And all the furnishings of her home

47. On a night when India could not find
Food for her crying child, could not seek help from a neighbor

48. Dear God, the boy is not to blame for this sin
Dear God, have mercy on the innocent babe

49. Exhausted, late that night her husband returned
And crept like a serpent to bed

50. India approached him begging
Help for a hunger that threatened the boy's life

51. He bolted the door from inside
Hoarding his words despite her pain

52. India's burning heart recalled
Her starving child who could not sleep

53. She spent the night awake
Until dawn softened the sky's mouth

54. Then went to her neighbor
Seeking food for the child out of kindness

55. She hurried with the food to her only one
Tears wet the road her eyes traced

56. Once fed, the boy slept
While his cruel father did not stir

57. When at midday she saw
That Farid was drowned in drunkenness

58. She rose in anger, hands clenched
Beating the door of his chamber

59. He did not answer her calls
Fearing the unexpected tragedy

60. She cried for help from those neighbors
Quickly coming to investigate

61. They broke down the door, revealing
The youth's body prone on the carpet

62. Before him a melted lethal poison
A sip of which had killed him

63. What grief then shook India
Clawing her cheeks over the corpse

64. India was not born for any but suffering
As if she were the very flesh of Christ

65. They buried him and good people
Showed India great kindness

66. Sheltering her and her child
For months in a generous home

67. Thanking her hosts, India
Left Beirut with her child

68. Longing for that bygone life
Of sewing for her sustenance

69. She reached Beirut at dusk
Laying the small boy down to rest in an inn

70. Preferring not to be seen by others
So she confided namelessly in me that night

71. She asked if in my neighborhood
An empty room might shelter her and the child

72. Where she could regain that humble life
For poverty had been her happy fortune

73. I was delighted to beseech
Charitable groups on behalf of the sufferer

74. Lightening the burden of the miserable one
Whose saddened heart found solace

75. The virtuous seamstress
Returned to her past livelihood and chastity

76. Her withered rose blossomed anew
Watered by the rain after drought's dryness

77. Oh fathers, when a suitor calls
Do not consider only money

78. Say to him who comes asking
We judge your character, sir

79. Oh wealthy men, do not clench
Your fists against the needy who ask your help

80. The coin of charity is a loan
And the Creator of this world the borrower