Sol 6.1

  1. That is Salʿ; lament its ruins with me.

    For I see longing killing me, without escape.

  2. They stand mute and answer no question;

    then let there be weeping, whether guidance or error.

  3. Stand with me as one grief-stricken; and if

    one untouched by love reproaches you, lay the blame on me.

  4. In love's cause, O dwelling

    of the tribe, my pouring tears flow one after another.

  5. Tears pledged to water your broad ground, and the

    tears can fully honor that pledge after separation.

  6. O my two friends, desist from reproaching me:

    love's fall admits no reprieve.

  7. You both told me, "Patience!" though the day

    of parting had grown grave, when you knew nothing of its turmoil.

  8. Is there deliverance for my heart from ardent love,

    or victory for my eyelid over sleeplessness?

  9. I am torn between two opposites: patience in forgoing

    my own defense is forbearance, while tears are folly.

  10. What a blessing reunion would be for me, if he would shorten

    my estrangement's span—he who prolonged it!

  11. And one slain by eyes cannot possibly

    be revived by anything but the deadly sidelong glances.

  12. And I would give my soul for her whose saliva is honey-sweet,

    whom sword-blades and quivering, slender spears protect.

  13. My passion was confirmed the morning I beheld,

    at farewell, her eyelid's languid half-closing and its weakness.

  14. O my nights at al-ʿAqīq! And my cry,

    "O my nights at al-ʿAqīq!" is a little solace.

  15. The years of your nearness, thought so brief, reminded us

    of the hours of your absence, drawn out so long.

  16. And we stood by the dwellings, yet none did he find—

    longing's companion—to answer his question.

  17. Tell him who seeks to forget—though forgetfulness cannot be found—

    those boughs that bend toward aversion:

  18. Take my story from sickness, for an account of

    my tears after parting would be lengthy.

  19. My release from love is like King al-Nāṣir's obedience

    to those who reproach his generosity and bounty.

Sol 6.1