1. O you who turned away, it is time you turned to face me,
And you who were absent, it is time for you to return.

2. You turned away not out of displeasure,
And you were absent not because you grew weary.

3. It is no disgrace for you to be seen fleeing,
For this is the way of the shy and timid deer.

4. Nor is it a fault for you to be seen absent,
For it is the nature of moons to set.

5. And that you seem worn by parting is only natural,
For even swords will rust after battle.

6. It is as if the governor and his men
Attacked your beauty that they may divide the spoils.

7. That branch was too noble to be plucked by them,
And that moon too sublime to be extinguished.

8. How they searched for him but did not know
That he resides in my heart, never to leave.

9. I hid him from them! Let them ask the night
Why it revealed him to me in my dreams.

10. Should they deny I am sick with love now he is gone,
My pale face stands as testament to my condition!

11. Would that he had wronged me that I might find
Some excuse for this heart now that he has abandoned me.

12. Would that he had been cheap with his affection
So my heart might forget him now he has become dear.

13. My love and contentment went with his departure-
Such has transpired, and such is my fate!

14. Since his leave no kohl has touched these eyes,
For he was the dark-eyed youth who applied it.

15. Tell my critic I am one who, after enduring separation,
Has been denied even a sip of affection.

16. And I have a mouth that has met, after our parting,
Only the chains of my falling tears.

17. My eye afflicted me, but it missed its target,
O my killer, it did not attain the hoped-for death.

18. How fair is patience - but how can I be patient
When I cannot see your face even for a day!