Sol 5.6

  1. Blessed with rain be the day when I made my mount kneel beneath a lofty tree—

    lush with water; the north wind toyed with it, and it played in turn,

  2. drunken, while the doves sang to it, so that it bent

    in rapture; the clouds gave it drink, and it drank.

  3. There one reveled, while the tree raised a banner for youth

    within it, and a star rose for the narcissus.

  4. The garden was a radiant face, and the shade a tress

    of black hair; the water, a mouth of cool, gleaming teeth.

  5. There, one evening, the doves transported us with delight,

    and the enchanting dove warbled, singing to us.

  6. The supple side of the bough swayed, rapt in our company,

    and the sunset smiled, baring the crescent’s mouth.

  7. The crescent seemed—with beauty joined to it—

    a gilded collar upon the cloud’s mantle.

  8. Amid a band of youths journeying by night, while darkness split

    away before them; they alighted on barren ground, and it grew fertile.

  9. So generous were they—munificence’s rain never failed,

    not for a day, nor was graciousness’s lightning a rainless gleam—

  10. from any radiant youth, upon whose face bliss bore

    a freshness that youth made shimmer until it overflowed.

Sol 5.6