LXVI: Thy society is like unto the sea, and…

Thy society is like unto the sea, and I, a fish therein;
But, separated from thee, I lament and bewail always.

Weeping, I would ask her to let me her fair cheek press;
But, laughing, she would ask, "What doth this man say?

She asked, too, "Who art thou, that wanderest in my street?"
To which, "Thy dog am I;"--thus to her a ready reply I gave.

I grieve in various ways, and my body hath a reed become:
Separation hath brought me to the plaintive pipe's condition..

Alas! alas! that this spring-time of youth is past!
Ah! that this spring continued in the world for aye!

The rose, the hyacinth, the wild rose, the tulip, and the buds--
Thou didst bring with thee, on thy coming, the whole spring.

When I press her unto my bosom, she looketh towards me,
Like a young gazelle inebriated with the milk of its dam.

When I die, I shall never see these sweet friends any more;
Then let me, O God, remain in this world for ever!

I grieve, indeed, for thy honour alone, not for myself:
Thou shouldst see how I would act, had I not this solicitude.

Thus severed from thee, in the fire I burn and consume,
Like unto the dry fuel, that one casteth into the flames.

Upon the beauty of the fays many encomiums are lavished;
But I see not any fairy with so lovely a face as thine.

There is no epithet that can express thy charming ways:
Would that, to thy lover, thou didst a little tenderness show!

Is there an anvil in thy breast, or a kind, benevolent heart,
That, for the sighs of Khushhal, thou showest no sympathy?