Love

Poem : 1121

The dew on her white teeth, whose voice is soft and low,
Is as when milk and honey mingled flow.

Explanation :
The water which oozes from the white teeth of this soft speeched damsel is like a mixture of milk and honey.

Poem : 1122

Between this maid and me the friendship kind
Is as the bonds that soul and body bind.

Explanation :
The love between me and this damsel is like the union of body and soul.

Poem : 1123

For her with beauteous brow, the maid I love, there place is none;
To give her image room, O pupil of mine eye, begone!

Explanation :
O you image in the pupil (of my eye)! depart; there is no room for (my) fair-browed beloved.

Poem : 1124

Life is she to my very soul when she draws nigh;
Dissevered from the maid with jewels rare, I die!

Explanation :
My fair-jewelled one resembles the living soul (when she is in union with me), the dying soul when she leaves me.

Poem : 1125

I might recall, if I could once forget; but from my heart
Her charms fade not, whose eyes gleam like the warrior's dart.

Explanation :
If I had forgotten her who has bright battling eyes, I would have remembered (thee); but I never forget her. (Thus says he to her maid).

Poem : 1126

My loved one's subtle form departs not from my eyes;
I wink them not, lest I should pain him where he lies.

Explanation :
My lover would not depart from mine eyes; even if I wink, he would not suffer (from pain); he is so ethereal.

Poem : 1127

My love doth ever in my eyes reside;
I stain them not, fearing his form to hide.

Explanation :
As my lover abides in my eyes, I will not even paint them, for he would (then) have to conceal himself.

Poem : 1128

Within my heart my lover dwells; from food I turn
That smacks of heat, lest he should feel it burn.

Explanation :
As my lover is in my heart, I am afraid of eating (anything) hot, for I know it would pain him.

Poem : 1129

I fear his form to hide, nor close my eyes;
'Her love estranged is gone!' the village cries.

Explanation :
I will not wink, knowing that if I did, my lover would hide himself; and for this reason, this town says, he is unloving.

Poem : 1130

Rejoicing in my very soul he ever lies;
'Her love estranged is gone far off!' the village cries.

Explanation :
My lover dwells in my heart with perpetual delight; but the town says he is unloving and (therefore) dwells afar.