Sol 6.1

  1. My two friends, this is Layla's dwelling-place—so hobble

    your two camels, then weep and linger.

  2. Stop and help me mourn; may God bless you both.

    And if you two will not do that, then sit down.

  3. Or else go on, and leave me with my wailing;

    I will tell the two sides of the dwelling's ruins, 'Help me mourn.'

  4. Then the two said, the stay having grown long for them,

    'Perhaps you will forget and bear up;

  5. so move on: you have wearied us and detained us

    at the traces of the ruins for a whole, unbroken day.'

  6. My friend foolishly reproaches me over Layla,

    yet I never deserved to be called foolish for my love.

  7. By my life, O Layla, though separation has carried

    Layla far away, she has surely snared my love-stricken heart.

  8. A slayer with her eyes, a huntress with her coy charm,

    and she kills young men only by design.

  9. Ah, how delightful are Layla and her age-mates, who

    promised you a tryst with Layla and with themselves.

  10. Then they came from different places, in threes and fours,

    and in twos, walking slowly with a swaying gait.

  11. They tread on silken mantles, fever cloaking them,

    and trail striped wraps along their flanks.

  12. Then, when we met, they said, 'Welcome and well met!

    Choose us a place to sit on the level, pebbly valley floor.'

Sol 6.1