Oh, love of her, heighten my heart's pain,

and strengthen the pang every night;

oh, comfort that days bring, forgetting

--the last of all days be thy tryst!

I marveled how swiftly the time sped

between us, the moment we met;

but when that brief moment was ended

how wearily dragged he his feet!

AN ADDRESS TO THE BELOVED

By Abu l-'Ata of Sind. From the 'Hamásah': Translation of C.J. Lyall