Observations placeholder

Ibn El-Arabi - The Tarjuman al-Ashwaq, tr. Reynold A. Nicholson, [1911]

A ringdove wailed and a sad lover complained, and he was grieved by her trilling note and complaint.
Tears flowed from their eyes in distress for her complaint, and ’twas as tho’ they were fountains.
I responded to her in the bereavement caused by the loss of her only child: one who loses an only child is bereaved indeed.
I responded to her, while Grief walked between us; she was invisible, but I was clearly seen.
In me is a burning desire, from love of the sandy tract of ‘Álij, where her tents are and the large-eyed maidens,
With murderous glances, languishing: their eyelids are sheaths for glances like swords.
I did not cease to swallow the tears proceeding from my malady and to conceal and guard my passion from those who blame me,
Until, when the raven's croak announced their departure, separation exposed the desire of a sorrow-stricken lover.
They journeyed continuously through the night, they cut the nose-rings of their camels, so that they moaned and cried under the litters.
I beheld the pangs of death at the time when they loosed the camels’ reins and tied their saddle-girths.
Oh! separation together with love's pain is mortal, but love's sorest pain together with meeting is light.
None blames me for desiring her, for she is beloved and beautiful wherever she may be.