1. He recalls a covenant made in intense love,
And a life of purity and joy between them.

2. A flash of ruby shone from his armlet
As he rode his elegant, nimble steed.

3. The memory ignited longing in his soul,
And lightning flashed in his tearful eyes.

4. The shade of the sand dunes could not prevent
His virtues and charms from shining through.

5. Thoughts of prayer moved his fervent heart,
And passion for his beloved pulled him toward her.

6. In the domes he whispered intimate secrets
Of passions too intense to be concealed.

7. Then he moaned and cried out in rapture and yearning,
Revealing his ardor and lamenting his love.

8. No pleasures or blissful reunions delighted him,
Nor did good fortune or glory lie before him.

9. His burning tears spoke in place of words,
As sorrowful laments roused his passion.

10. Grief-stricken, consumed by fiery longing,
His rest denied by dreams of their reunion.

11. Overcome, his condition left him seated,
While in his heart intense longing remained.

12. A raging thirst consumed him, nothing
But her sweet rain could quench his thirst.

13. His tormentor, obsessed with his obsession,
Demanded his soul to deepen his torment.

14. He unsheathed his sword of rebuke,
And unleashed the fear of blame upon him.

15. How sweet the roses that heralded his death,
When old age’s approach became evident.

16. Whoever seeks out the beloved becomes generous,
Sacrificing his soul like Ka’b or Ma’mar.

17. But whoever only seeks spoils will never attain
A share without reaching for the prize.

18. Yet providence did not favor his efforts
Or pay heed to the goal of his striving.

19. Your power did not raise up the lover
Who died before achieving his purpose.

20. He spent the night with tearful eyes,
And woke as if facing imminent death.

21.
He kept wringing his hands in anguish,

22. Though late regrets brought no benefit.
He saw others journeying on, so blessed

23. Be those voyagers while dwelling is cursed!
He implored those who thought well of him

24. To watch over the course his life had taken.
I beg you, by Him who guided your steps

25. And saw you safely to journey’s end,
As you approached the abode and gleamed

26. With the Brilliant One's light filtering through the clouds,
Stop there, give thanks by kissing the ground,

27. And convey the suffering lover's greeting of peace,
Say, “I left behind, in the ruins, a youth

28. Whose laments of sorrow would melt a rock."
Report what you witnessed of his condition,

29. No blame or fault finding lies with you.
Do not incur his fiery passion’s rage

30. By asking his companion even one question.
Rise up and raise the banner as a refugee

31. Seeking the Intercessor’s light on Judgment Day,
Saying, “O You who guided creation

32. To the Abode of Eternity by your Advent,
When the night of idolatry was prolonged,

33. You dispelled their darkness with Your Light,
And guided them to surpass all peoples—

34. Rightly-guided, reverent, learned, upright.
Thus they became the best of Paradise’s folk

35. Despite being the lowliest of all creation.
When he saw the pond and recognized

36. The sign of his Mission by this token,
Intercede for my two friends before You

37. For sins that exiled them this entire year."
Were it not for sins that bound him fast

38. He would have come, saying to those in dread:
"Sins are the most harmful of ills,

39. Engendering chronic illnesses."
If they were removed no trace would remain

40. For the rest of his life, sealing its conclusion,
Weakness would leave him; he would stand erect

41. Whenever he rose to fulfil his purpose.
You are his treasure; when he comes seeking

42. Tomorrow, rising from his grave to recite his verses,
God's blessings upon him will never cease,

43. Perpetual at his Station of Continuity
The east wind will never blow, no branch will bend,

44. No veils will lift from the Embodiment of Light.
Every ardent lover will attain his heart’s desire

45. To visit him, this being their goal.
I have a hope which I began with, and I wish