O who hast quitted these abodes and faredst lief and light ✿ To other objects of thy love with fain and fastest flight!
Deem’st thou that ’bided I with you in solace and in joy ✿ Or that my days amid you all were clear of bane and blight?
When I was captive ta’en of Love and snarèd in his snare, ✿ He made of Love my prison and he fared fro’ me forthright:
So when my fear was hidden, he made sure that ne’er should I ✿ Pray to the One, th’ Omnipotent to render me my right:
He charged his mother keep the secret with all the care she could, ✿ In closet shut and treated me with enemy’s despight:
But I o’erheard their words and held them fast in memory ✿ And hoped for fortune fair and weal and blessings infinite:
My faring to the Hammam bath then proved to me the means ✿ Of making minds of folk to be confounded at my sight:
Wondered the Bride of Al-Rashíd to see my brilliancy ✿ When she beheld me right and left with all of beauty dight:
Then quoth I, “O our Caliph’s wife, I once was wont to own ✿ A dress of feathers rich and rare that did the eyes delight:
An it were now on me thou shouldst indeed see wondrous things ✿ That would efface all sorrows and disperse all sores of sprite:”