Sol 6

  1. The arak tree of the protected pasture, when the songbirds sang to it,

    swayed as though fierce winds had blown upon it.

  2. The melody of a singing bird delighted it with its song;

    the bird mourns its loved ones, yet still sings.

  3. So the lover’s secret passion is betrayed by tears,

    just as his heart is lost among the traveling litters.

  4. Yet the days of union are things held in trust,

    and one day all such trusts must be returned.

  5. One night, wine revealed the stars of the young gazelles,

    and among us those stars were setting and rising.

  6. Our talebearer was gone, and our watcher slept;

    the rising stars had truly promised us a meeting.

  7. We bowed in the sanctuaries of delight

    born of intimacy, while the ewer bowed toward the cup.

  8. The steed of the east wind raced through the meadow’s course,

    and the eye of dew wept on the rose’s cheek,

  9. until its dawn appeared, as though it were

    maidens’ faces brought into view by their veils.

  10. We said farewell without weariness or hatred,

    and said: separation draws near while we are still together.

Sol 6