1. Is it a smiling gazelle or a flexible spear?
The souls of lovers swoon over her.

2. Are they javelins or slender wine cups?
Alas, the javelins are not flexible.

3. No critic's eye was blinded to her softness,
But the hearts of critics are harsh.

4. By my life! If my soul did not accept loving her,
I would not accept love or persist in passion.

5. Though my heart doubts this love,
Faithfulness dissuades it from the path of indifference.

6. My soul is not deceived that her wine
Is a mirage and the coolness of life comes from it.

7. Can one turn away from the abodes of love
While people of passion are awake there night and day?

8. I hoped for union with her, tempting my soul,
But she has no gentle union for those who seek her.

9. Her greetings are joy, though we've tasted no wine,
And her eyes are sleep, though they are wide awake.

10. As if she has eyes that seduce with their beauty
So intensely they yearn for what they see.

11. I surpassed people of passion in describing her
As if I were a judge and passion were a witness.