1. O companion, take me to the fragrant White Land,
And be gentle with my blame, for there is no shame in love.

2. Do not be harsh if my heart, were you to reproach it,
Is like the worshipers of the fire scorched by flame.

3. My glance and hearing bear witness for my sight,
With acknowledgment from me—my soul made bare.

4. Among the free women is a serf girl
With a supple body and jewelry rings in her tender skin.

5. A houri—when you look upon her face
Is magic in her beauty, not a sorcerer's spell.

6. She is as though a sun whose beauty surpassed
The beauty of the sun when it rises and sets.

7. The sun comes near but snares no viewers,
Yet if she appeared, she'd snare all who look.

8. If you could see her when she reveals her bosom
And bare arms that know no shame or bashfulness.

9. You'd think her purest silver in gold.
Oh, her beauty—silver in liquefied gold!

10. As though her spittle were liquid white silver.
Oh, her beauty—silver in liquefied gold!

11. Why is my Abda patient with me today
When I cannot bear her absence, though she chide me with reproach?

12. I loved her mouth, her eyes, the sight of her—
A love like the pious love the gardens of Paradise.

13. My eyes practice fasting from all women
Until they break fast with that houri.

14. Nothing is more beautiful than when I said to her
In private, with no spies or lurkers near:

15. "Oh Abda, do not kill me, for I am but a man.
If you seek blood-vengeance for me, do not outdo my vengeance."

16. Had she felt embarrassment at killing me without cause,
She'd not have killed me openly, only secretly.

17. She replied, "I've done no wrong by being a slave girl
Whom the Creator blessed with beauty divine.

18. He shaped me flawless like a figure of gold—
Half of me and half of me like a swift wild cow.

19. When I appear, you see all people
Cast their hearing and sight eagerly toward me.

20. I slay those before me with their own passion,
And those behind me become crazed when I turn my back."