Sol 6.1

  1. You, O soul, turn back.

    The sun has set; so return.

  2. A comforter, beside a lovesick man, has no

    purpose; so seethe and melt.

  3. And accept what is pleasing from her,

    and when she repents, repent too.

  4. Salma has sent upon us

    a temptation in the time of gray hair.

  5. And love has whittled me down until

    my sobs for her have multiplied.

  6. I am enamored of Salma,

    as Christians are of the cross.

  7. What has been brought close to me

    by my companion is not close to me at all.

  8. Through love of Salma, she has taken me captive—

    alone, like a stranger.

  9. I hope for relief only

    during the watcher's absences.

  10. The heart has found in Salma

    a marvel beyond the marvelous.

  11. She has flourished with me, while I

    am barren with her.

  12. Through humiliation that never fades,

    she has cast me into barrenness.

  13. Salma has changed the wind for me

    to a north wind after a south wind.

  14. And so time is harsh,

    between ease and rough riding.

  15. If she felt what I feel toward her

    of longing and sobbing,

  16. she would come as a thirsty one comes,

    startled by the drover's call.

  17. Be well, O Salma, one day,

    and dispel some of my anguish.

  18. Do not reckon love a sin;

    my love is not among my sins.

  19. Love is but an affliction

    and an ailment in hearts.

  20. Then, when grief presses, I sigh—

    and those sighs weaken my sides.

  21. Indeed, whoever blames a lover

    for love is not in the right.

  22. And I did say to Salma,

    when my physician was baffled by me:

  23. No valley of Sulayma's

    is green with grass for a lover.

  24. Would that I had a heart in place of my heart,

    and a beloved in place of my beloved.

  25. Then perhaps the heart would sober,

    and my playmate would oblige me.

  26. For my longing was indeed stirred

    by the scent of basil and perfume.

  27. I spent the night, because of a waft of aloeswood

    kindled for me with tinder,

  28. heedless of every cupbearer

    and tablemate and drinking companion.

  29. I seek Salma and fear

    the gaze of the suspicious onlooker.

  30. I wish that she were

    my portion of this world.

Sol 6.1