LXVIII: I was not, at first, aware, that thou…

I was not, at first, aware, that thou art so utterly inconstant--
Thou makest a hundred vows a day, and still art heedless of them all.

The world raiseth an outcry against me, who have given my heart to thee;
But 'tis not aware what a lovely, bewitching creature thou art.

And thou, too, that sagest unto me, "Look not upon the fair"--
Who will give ear unto such deadly words as those thou utterest?

A single hair of the head of one's beloved is more precious than the Huri's--
What use is it, then, O priest! to laud the virgins of Paradise, unto me?

Not every crow and kite, but the nightingale appreciateth the rose's value;
Then ask not, O fool! what sort of person hath thus enamoured me.

These are not black eyes, that have carried away my yearning heart
Thou, O God!--All-wise, All-seeing--knowest they are calamities greater still.

That is not a mole upon thy chin, nor are those dark dishevelled tresses:
They are, if thou canst comprehend this saying, a mystery divine.

Whether the censures of the world, or people's worst upbraidings;
All these, I willingly accept, if thou art but reconciled to me.

I will light no lamp in my dwelling to-night, that they may not suspect
These neighbours of the Sama'h--that thou art a guest of mine.

I was saying, I would tell thee my heart's sorrows, when thou earnest;
But what griefs shall I mention, when thou, the grief-dispeller, art near?

Since thou tossest unto the wind the musk-pods of thy fragrant tresses,
Khushhal, full well knoweth, that thou art a deer of Khata.