1. Though poor, my spirit's rich beyond all measure;
I mourn no want, I mourn no paltriness.

2. O princess of my heart, I am no poet
who gives with his left hand and takes with his right,

3. nor one who listens to each babbler
when fools prick up their ears;

4. nor one whose heart is empty of love
yet stabs in the back those trusting him.

5. From life's pure essence and life's dregs
I've learned lessons bending the striver's spine.

6. My mind was open when the buds burst singing
and kindled longings that have burned me since.

7. Desire's seas flowed into my heart's pulse.
Ask not what sights my eyes have seen, what fruits I've tasted.

8. I love you more than nightingales can say
if they could understand this love, this ardour.

9. Had all my passion raised its hands to the heavens,
Laila's fervour gained, Lubna's attained,

10. had a great flood plunged roaring
from the mountain tops down to the plains,

11. battering the hillsides, breaking its banks,
then calming to a gentle quiet flow,

12. wandering through all the land's breadth and length
leaving no house or pillar standing,

13. no foothold for feet, no rest for the living,
obliterating the land's every trace

14. till no eye looking on my beloved could discern
a meadow, a hill, an orchard, a grove left fair,

15. nor trunk or bough remaining for the trees
every human and jinn swept away,

16. then would that torrent see my desire for you
and know its own wild onrush to be tame.

17. It would learn how the steadfast heart in its ardour
grows tall until, though anguished, it disdains all sorrow.

18. O princess of my heart, do not fear.
See how hopes tower high, based on my spirit's strength.

19. All my needs I send up to the Master;
how gentle, how kind the all-gracious Lord.

20. He who takes refuge in the Lord will know
true safety, and be freed from every fear.

21. Though poor, my spirit's rich beyond all measure;
my hopes are built on the rock of my resolve.

22. All my needs I present to my Master;
how gracious, how kind the all-gentle Lord!