Love

He Who Longs for Ruby Lip's Kiss May

by Ahmed Pasha d. 1496

Translated by E. J. W. Gibb (1882) · From Ottoman Poems (1882)

Love

He who longs for ruby lip's kiss may not calm of soul remain:
He his head must yield who hopes the dusky locks' sweet scent to gain.

Still in heart abides not longing's flame when one her ward beholds;
Him who seeks her face contents not even Heaven's flowery plain.

Yonder sugar-lip's surrounded by her cheek's down; — where art thou,
O thou seeker of the rose's company without thorn's pain?

Wouldest thou delight? Then plunge thou deep beneath Love's ocean surge:
He who would for regal pearls dive, surely should know well the main.

Though the loved one mocks at Ahmed's faults and failings, what of that?
He who seeks a friend that's blameless must without a friend remain.

✦ ✦ ✦

Gazel.

MLA

Pasha, Ahmed. “He Who Longs for Ruby Lip's Kiss May.” Translated by E. J. W. Gibb. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/ahmed-pasha/0/.

Chicago

Pasha, Ahmed. “He Who Longs for Ruby Lip's Kiss May.” Translated by E. J. W. Gibb. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/ahmed-pasha/0/.

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