Sol 6.1

  1. Umar has reproached me about my beloved,

    and blame outside its proper bounds is fate.

  2. He said, 'Come to your senses.' I said, 'No.' He said, 'Yes!'

    The news about you has already spread among the people.

  3. I said, 'If it has spread, what excuse have I for

    what I have no excuse for in their eyes?'

  4. I do not hide from people my love for my slayer.

    No, no; nor do I dislike what they have mentioned.

  5. Blame me, you two; there will never be blame after this.

    Your companion, by the Majestic One, is dying.

  6. Get up, get up and go to them; tell them he has refused

    and said, 'No! I will not come to my senses—so kill yourselves!'

  7. What could their spokesman possibly say,

    when this is love whose fatal hour fate has brought?

  8. O people, what have I to do with them at all?

    The arrogant man examines another's faults.

  9. How astonishing this opposition—how astonishing!

    A stone in the mouth of whoever censures love!

  10. No one censures a lover

    while believing in God. Rise, for they have disbelieved!

  11. Enough for me and for the woman I am enamored of

    are the conversation and glances we exchange.

  12. Or a kiss amid all that—and there is no

    harm, if the waist-wraps are not untied.

  13. Or touching what lies beneath her wrap with my hand,

    while curtains have screened the door.

  14. And the anklets on her leg are gleaming,

    and her voice is loud, for her breathlessness has mounted.

  15. And the gazelle's hand grew limp, and she

    said, with tears streaming down, 'Leave me alone!

  16. Go away; you are not the man they described.

    You are, by my Lord, an insolent grappler.

  17. And today my nurse is away from you;

    so today God will avenge me on you.

  18. O Lord, take vengeance for me, for you see my weakness,

    on this wanton-handed man, who deserves no thanks.

  19. He lunged for my armlet and crushed it—

    a man of strength, impossible to withstand, mighty.

  20. He kept pressing his roughened beard against me,

    black, as though it were needles,

  21. until he overpowered me, while my brothers were away.

    Woe is me over them—if only they had been here!

  22. I swear by God, I have not escaped it unhurt.

    Go away—you are the bracelet-adorned victor!

  23. What of my mother when she sees my lip?

    And what if this news spreads from you?

  24. Or how—no, how shall I face my nurse?

    O beloved, if only caution were of use!'

  25. I said to her then, 'O my solace,

    there is no harm; I am experienced and cautious.

  26. Tell them it was a bug with a claw—

    if there are any bugs that have claws.'

Sol 6.1