1. How strange are men!
Listen to my state.

2. Many a day I have spent
Hunting my prey by guile.

3. I remained desiring a gazelle
Grazing in meadows of beauty.

4. Swaying with a slender shape
Like the pliant boughs of eucalyptus.

5. Bending in wonder at a beautiful face
While my heart pined in passion.

6. Glancing at me with an eye
That works like a sharp arrow.

7. He pierced my ailing heart
With his healthy, potent arrows.

8. Marvel how one who was sick
Regained health at time of trial!

9. I discarded him like a shirt
Rent by grief for my money.

10. I deliberated in my thoughts
For a time until he came to me.

11. I questioned him carefully
To understand his request.

12. Then I approached him
With guile and pretense,

13. Like an archer who shoots arrows
And hit him in the mountains.

14. Then he whispered to me with words
Of eloquent speech,

15. "How can one hunt a gazelle
Who will become the hunted tomorrow?"