Sol 5.6

  1. She promised union, while time keeps putting it off.

    A dark-eyed beauty, whose glance is a keen-edged sword—

  2. Intoxicating and lush, her mouth a watering place

    Of pearls, her saliva the choicest aged wine.

  3. Between her moon and the dune, there struts

    A slender branch that the breeze makes sway.

  4. Do not suppose that breaking promises is the nature of one like her:

    She made the promise, but it is the nights that break it.

  5. It is among affliction's cruelties that the one I love

    Is tenderhearted, while fate will show no tenderness.

  6. O moringa tree whose branches have put forth

    Fresh roses, plucked by glances!

  7. A gazelle whose face rivals the sun,

    And whose eye makes the slender gazelle turn.

  8. What is your command concerning an enamored man whom

    Your languid eyelids assail, while no one grants him justice?

  9. Many a time, because of his onslaughts,

    The noses of slender spearheads were made to bleed;

  10. Yet today he is plainly powerless before your glances,

    And passion's devotee is helpless and brought low.

  11. Indeed, by your face: it is a radiant dawn,

    While the blackness of your hair is a darkening night.

  12. Upon the dune, you sway a slender moringa branch;

    I have no yearning for anyone but you.

  13. May gifts bring joy to your beauty and good fortune—

    For by it I am known among all humankind.

  14. I nearly rise in stature when I am described through mention of it,

    Until it seems that I myself am being praised for virtues.

  15. Indeed, I say to my two reproachers for this passion—

    For only one who does not know love denies it—

  16. Were you to breathe in her scent, passion would grow tender; then you two would know

    That one enthralled by ardor is thereby ennobled.

Sol 5.6