Sol 5.6

  1. O dwelling of the soul within my body,

    my sword against foes, and my sustaining hand;

  2. O Abu Ishaq, heed the plea of one

    who never thought to complain to anyone.

  3. Hear my tale, for it is sweeter than

    the melodies of the tuneful songstress.

  4. It enters its hearer’s ear

    like clear water into a parched man’s throat.

  5. So smooth is its entrance that, if you sought

    its like in all creation, you would find none.

  6. It is peerless in beauty, for

    it has gathered every singular grace:

  7. a moon, a sun, a white dune, branches—

    a young gazelle whose smile reveals hailstones.

  8. I sought union from him, to quench

    what his eyes had kindled in my heart.

  9. But he began putting me off, promising to oblige me:

    “Tomorrow I shall come—and the day after tomorrow.”

  10. My patience was exhausted awaiting his appointed time,

    and his broken promise wore out my endurance.

  11. A brother of mine, who knows me better

    than my father, was born devoted to me.

  12. He said, when I complained to him

    of the heartsick anguish I suffer:

  13. “What do you desire?” I told him:

    “Go to him disguised as one making inquiries.

  14. Speak of something other than my affair—

    whatever pleases him—and be discreet.

  15. Then allude to me, as though, in

    mentioning my plight, you had no design.

  16. If he listens attentively, say:

    ‘This conduct of yours toward me has dragged on for ages;

  17. hope placed in you made that term seem near,

    through reasoning that has proved unsound.’”

  18. So he went seeking a substitute, and found

    what suited him—then never returned.

  19. He proceeded with what I had prescribed for him,

    hurrying without delay,

  20. and carried out exactly what I had specified,

    neither taking away nor adding.

  21. My sophistry distracted him from it,

    though his innermost parts burned in anger’s blaze.

  22. Then he came at once,

    restless as a startled gazelle.

  23. Would that you had been there to witness

    what passed between us of reproach and censure!

  24. My reproach—I had imagined it

    like sorcery’s breath blown upon knots;

  25. and my stance—had you seen it—

    five thirsty fingers that never reached the water:

  26. a lion holding a fawn in his two palms,

    like a fawn holding a lion in mine.

  27. I would have kissed the roses while embracing him

    and drunk the dew-fresh daisies.

  28. Thus my right judgment in love is folly,

    and my folly in love is my right guidance.

Sol 5.6