1. O men, whose lord with spears is wont to smite,
My passion and my sleep, not as they wonted, are tonight,

2. As though mine eyes, assured the loved one's sight to win,
Swore ne'er to close their lids, save on the pupils twain within.

3. If it be joy increases lovers' grief,
Then I am not most wretched midst the tribe of lovers left.

4. Ye tribe, if aught today your camels keep
Within the sacred limits or at Mina stop, be reft

5. Of them! For I have seen how changeful is the world,
Nor liveth any in felicity eterne empearled.

6. If you rejoice, fear quickly changing chance!
And if you grieve, hope for the Umm Abad's deliverance.

7. Whose eye drew near his love, him sudden stroke
Of Fate cast down, though Fate create and joy and sorrow woke.

8. How shall a friend of friend ability retain,
Whenas I see no father that his son doth entertain?

9. But haply you will draw you nearer some fair chance
And dawn the happy days when all my wishes shall advance-

10. The days when I shall chide the spy malign
Nor Zaid to other service than my love's assign.

11. O neighbour mine! what while our friend was here,
Whenas the Pure was wroth, thou wouldst not tempt the Cavalier;

12. She rose to ride when her leg showed from her skirt,
As it were pearl in shell of glass that none may counterfeit:

13. As though her stature were of ball of pearl
Compact, where all is rounded grace that eye shall see or ear.

14. I cried, “Dawn tirelessly in skirt of lovely fair!
Who e'er saw sun that lit the morn shine from a cinctured air?”

15. With specious praise her graces I reveal
And wake desire that sleepy lay in passion's pastime leil:

16. As though her form were in her dwelling houst,
Whenever I descry the walls and every lodging of the house.

17. White as the curling fleece her skin; her cares
Ensnare us, so thou ne'er attainest what the fair ensnares:

18. As though she never flesh of man enthralled
By love, and to her friend betrayal ne'er recalled

19. At times I fast from thought of her then wake
To pray when dawn-light chargeth and when night begins to break

20. At her my wonder grows and grows desire;
How drive I back an ass unlike anass that bears his hire?

21. While I can light my brethren on their way,
Shall this and that turn back my steps when I advance to prey?

22. Nay, leave thy mention of the Fair, since she
Hath left the mention, and recall the days gone by to thee!