XXXVIII: When my love for thy sweet face became…

When my love for thy sweet face became noised abroad,
The love of Majnun and of Laila, became an empty jest.

That, which appalled, even Majnun, within the tomb,
Such a grievous calamity, unto me, hath love assigned.

Tho' his head, like the taper's, disappeareth at every respiration;
Still, no one should consider himself, from this love, exempt.

In the hands of the sorrow-stricken, it placeth harp and rebeck,
When, in the court-yard, love seateth the bridal train.

Fire, kindled by way of jest, blazeth up in real earnest;
And love, made in sport, hath brought many unto tears.

The brokers of sense and reason, lose their occupation, entirely,
When love, on its own account, beginneth to traffic and trade.

Like as by applying fire, one setteth dry straw in a blaze,
In the same manner, doth love, piety and austerity unto.

Doth any one, a false claim and a true, in one breath, prefer?
How then shall sincere love, remain concealed one moment?

He never again obtaineth a smile from the rosy-cheeked ones,
Though love caused Hamid to weep, like unto the dew.