1. Should I conceal my passion, or confess?
My eyes grow cold, refusing to express

2. The naked sword of your alluring gaze
Sheathe it, lest my ardent heart digress

3. You taught me how desire invades the soul
And conquers reason, without finesse

4. Your beauty's light still smolders in my heart
Igniting flames of fervor and distress

5. You own my heart, though I possess a tongue
To voice the truth, if I but acquiesce

6. I traveled heedless of reproach or blame
If only men could understand, assess

7. Alas, we cannot see true beauty here
Without it boiling blood in drunkenness

8. The feeble-minded and the weak of will
While the judicious among us progress

9. We wronged religion out of ignorance
Though it is justice that religion stresses

10. To guard our homes from vice, it veils our maids
Lest wantonness should breed a vile excess

11. Imagine the dangers, were it allowed
To unleash the passions we repress!

12. So veil your beauty from those callow youths
Lest ardent hearts to sinfulness digress

13. Lower your eyes, be safely guarded, pure
Let them find safety too in bashfulness.

14. Keep modesty's cloak always on your form
Smile not at men, though they smile and caress

15. Your shyness is the height of etiquette
Without it, you are prone to waywardness

16. Today I'll face what grieves my repenting heart
They made it lawful for singers to undress!