Poem V

1A garden—may its rose be in flower to Resurrection!An idol—may the two worlds be scattered o’er his beauty!

2The prince of the fair goes proudly forth to the chase at morning;May our hearts fall a prey to the arrow of his glance!

3From his eye what messages are passing continually to mine!May my eyes be gladdened and filled with intoxication by his message!

4I broke an ascetic’s door: with a prayer he banned me,Saying, ‘Go, may all thy life be without peace!’

5No peace, no heart is left me, on account of his prayer, by the FriendWho thirsts for our blood—may God befriend him!

6My body is like the moon which is melting for love,My heart like Zuhra’s lute—may its strings be broken!

7Look not on the moon’s waning nor on Zuhra’s broken state;Behold the sweetness of his affliction—may it wax a thousandfold!

8What a bride is in the soul! By the reflection of her faceMay the world be freshened and coloured like the hands of the newly-married!

9Look not on the fleshly cheek which corrupts and decays;Look on the spiritual cheek—may it be sweet and agreeable!