1. She loved him while hiding her love out of propriety
And he thought she was ignorant of his whispers, so they both grieved

2. He complains to her of the passions of love, but she
Does not answer him, so he spends the night depressed

3. Until, fearing that he will perish from the misery and burning longing,
He sends her a letter in which he had written

4. Beloved of my heart, what is this aloofness when
My bitter tears have made the abandoned and the Arabs weep?

5. If you remain cruelly estranged
My blood will make the earth crimson, O bending willow

6. She read his letter which seared her breast
She does not look at him to explain her complaint

7. And after she had awakened, she rose and lit
A lamp, filled for him with blazing flames

8. And wrote him a peerless reply that left
No fear or doubt in the heart of her lovesick admirer

9. My heart is busy with loving you as you love me
So do not disturb me with reproach that increases my weariness

10. For if you remain suspicious and accusing
You will ruin my life, rather you will make me sick

11. And she entrusted it to the post of the night, feeling safe,
Not knowing the usual caution and fear

12. And she awoke not realizing what she had done
And had she known, she would have preferred to flee

13. He read the letter and his determination intensified,
Rejoicing, and desire bent his inclination

14. And he thought she had divulged the secret and confessed
In wakefulness, so he persisted in sending letters

15. And she did not answer, until anger almost killed him
And he spent the night tossed between love and sickness

16. And her father returned, who was his doctor,
So he realized the cause of his illness and was disturbed

17. Her father happened to come across his daughter’s house
While she was with her swooning lover, so he turned around

18. And reported this matter, magnifying it, to her mother
So she appeased him and he concealed his anger and wrath

19. And they showed her the two verses, so she shuddered,
Saying, “That is nothing but a wondrous event

20. The script is mine, but I do not know, and I swear by you both,
When I wrote or when it was sent”

21. They said, “Do you love him?” She said, embarrassed,
“Yes, even if I have hidden that from you”

22. So they married her to the one she loved, and so they united,
Prospering, in the pleasure of life and as companions