Sol 5.6

  1. I halted awhile at the ʿĀmiriyya’s dwelling-site,

    and my longing grew overpowering as the ruins bowed low.

  2. How often, for Layla’s sake, we passed the night without cause for suspicion,

    while eyes and listening ears were upon us, alert for love.

  3. We unfolded a conversation about a love’s culmination—

    whose strongholds were our innermost hearts and ribs.

  4. At our conversation, the raven of night would almost

    take wing for joy, though it rested within its nest.

  5. We were alone, and there was chastity—not a show of chastity,

    though in the encampment every barrier had been lifted away from us.

  6. Ask my bed about me and her; for indeed we

    are content with whatever the beds report of us.

Sol 5.6