1. I have good news for you, so listen to it,

    and answer me about it, Abu al-Fayyad.

  2. I was at a gathering where there was a beauty—

    a sickness to the healthy, a cure for the sick.

  3. Long have you known that, where your rights

    and their defense are concerned, I never turn a blind eye.

  4. So I watched her stealthily, as an adversary watches,

    and scrutinized her as a judge scrutinizes.

  5. Eyes assailed her from every quarter,

    and the men exchanged their plaints in secret signs and flashing glances:

  6. greybeards and generous lords,

    lavish with gifts but sparing of honor.

  7. Foremost among singing-girls’ traits is betrayal;

    on that, in consorting with them, there is mutual agreement.

  8. So I watched for that from her and readied

    my rebuke, my fury, and my indignation.

  9. But she barred the way to flirtation and treated them

    all alike with rebuff and aversion.

  10. Her faithfulness to you spared me all that, until

    night gave their company leave to disperse.

Sol 5.6