XIX: I am ever sitting, with heart dried up…

I am ever sitting, with heart dried up, in the moisture of my tears:
Love showed unto me, in my own retreat, both ocean and land.

Like as when, with my lips, I kissed the wound of thy sword,
I have never since, from any salve, such soothing experienced.

Majnun, that laid his head at the feet of Layla, his beloved,
Became exalted in Arabia, and in all foreign lands.

The powerful will always be triumphant over the weak;
And I am preserved from other misery by my grief for thee.

Like unto myself, for thee, thus in wretchedness o'erwhelmed,
Of the whole race of Adam there will be no other similar.

Like as a carcass, that may be fallen amongst the living,
In such wise am I, whilst in it, separated from the world.

From the breathings of the charmers I obtain no alleviation;
For this reason, indeed, that my breath is dependent on thine.

I have neither inquiry nor research to make, save after thee:
Thou art my object every moment, and at every step.

Should it be my good fortune to obtain the platters of thy dogs,
I would no more cast mine eyes, even upon Jamshed's cup.

So completely have I gambled away my heart upon thy curls,
As when a little button falleth, and, in murky darkness, is lost.

All ensanguined in blood, like unto red roses hang,
A thousand hearts in every ringlet of thy curly hair.

I, Rahman, withdrawn from the world, was happy indeed;
But looking towards thee, hath brought man's censure on me.