1. A yearning lover—separation, then estrangement, has clothed him

    in robes of wasting, in which the show of fortitude has died.

  2. And distance from his loved ones has surrendered him to wasting sickness;

    he dies of it in yearning, while yearning's outward show lives on.

  3. And is there a helper through whom separation's ember can be quenched?

    And far, far beyond reach—where is the helper?

  4. Yet reason deems it impossible for it to be quenched

    without our meeting—and how can I behold you?

  5. And if what I suffer from distance and separation

    were laid upon a mountain whose rocks are massive and solid,

  6. it would melt, and separation would leave no trace of it;

    and it would be left with neither a vestige nor familiar landmarks.

  7. O beloved ones of my heart, you have gone far from my eyes,

    and each dwells and abides within my bosom.

  8. O beloved ones of my heart, indeed my yearning in loving you

    grows and lives on in you, and it is everlasting.

  9. And longing has run unchecked within me, and wasting sickness has taken hold,

    and foe and envier have taken pity on my plight.

  10. So if a denier denies my words, then your heart

    is evidence and witness to the truth of our claim.

  11. May God water the times that passed in your company,

    and indeed I forever extol and praise them.

  12. In them I drank the delicious wine of nighttime companions,

    from the cup of serenity, from which the watering places draw delight.

  13. So may the Merciful never leave gatherings desolate without you,

    whose seats would be honored if you settled there.

  14. They shone with light through you and grew sweet in fragrance,

    and rare gems from the pearls of your mouths adorned them.

  15. And may He restore to us there a gathering in the joy of your company,

    and help us in it, for He is an excellent helper.

Sol 6.1