1. It's as if you see me die soon
By my tears or burning anguish

2. And I burden the hearts of people because
Fate has wounded it with afflictions

3. God has decreed that love, when it rules
Kills souls or imprisons minds

4. And that the deeds of many with many
Are ugly, though they themselves are beautiful

5. The lover in life is called a lover
And after death he's called the slain

6. His life is ephemeral; his death
On a day of bliss or day of departure

7. Long has my torment been since I was slain
For I was slain by a sword of smooth blade

8. What pained me more is that I have thousands envious
Of her who has thousands of friends

9. You come to her without a message
And neglect that one though a thousand messengers

10. So the aim of my request has become that I love her
Though, by God, she is the aim of my madness

11. And she said to the days of joy, be short
And I said to the nights of misery, be long