1. Greetings of friendship I offer to you,
Pearl of the sea, lantern lighting the gloom.

2. Do not turn away after affection shown true,
Hearken, O mother of Jesus, unto my tune.

3. Be not forever estranged, fickle of mood,
Or promise a bond only to disapprove.

4. You were not like lightning flickering lewd,
Deceiving, in clouds of desire to move.

5. Or like mirage misleading the famished,
Imagined oasis to dreams onboard.

6. What knowledge have you if harm was intended,
And when you act surely you'll be forewarned,

7. That goodness unceasing brings fair satisfaction,
As rainQuatrains continuous fructifies the plain.

8. Forget not the past and pledges you've taken,
Swearing divinely and signing your name.

9. Recall that night of the middle Sha'ban,
When moonlit you pledged by the Divine Name.

10. If you ignore it, you'll bear the pain
Of prayer and fast as absolving your blame.

11. Return to affection, put hatred to rest,
Ambition and sins easy to name.

12. When you see me, if you think I offend,
For traits disagreeable that I retain,

13. Then tell me, I'll set all aright again,
And tears of regret shall wash cleansingly.

14. I see your cord worn, its strands growing thin,
While mine are thick without age or decay.

15. You saw my hair turning grayer each day,
And body enfeebled by time's command.

16. I have felt the fierce hardship of life's fray,
My frame battered to pieces in war's band.

17. Yet you a blooming flower fresh and fair,
On shoulders like silk, a cat sleek and fine.

18. When you laugh, your cheeks their dimples bare,
Like musk waving about, the years resign.

19. From your neck to your wrists perfection rare,
No jewel comes close, no shell half as fine.

20. So why do I find you today inclined,
To ways and manners none too refined?