XV: If the surface of thy face be not…

If the surface of thy face be not soiled, be under no concern;
And the mirror of my heart, too, is not by rust affected.

Whosoever cometh near pitch, becometh defiled;
Then get thee away behind me, O thou so very white!

He, whose heart hath consumed in the flames of love,
What apprehension need he have of the fire of Hell?

She would make the dark night one of moonlight to her lover,
If the moon-faced one would draw aside the veil from her face.

From time to time, every thing hath gone out of my heart,
Save the remembrance of the fair, that will never depart.

'Tis from the wails of the nightingale it is thus so affected--
This rose-bud, that rendeth its garment into shreds.

All else is a mere vail, save the love of the Deity:
Then, O Aeabd-ul-Kadir, do thou no other love pursue!