S. R. Faruqi:

(1) Sensual fool, you falsely harbor thoughts of comfort in love.
In this land the currency is pain and scar and sorrow and hardship.

(2) The earth is much like a painting of the unconscious or the stupefied.
The state of things in this gathering hasn't been too good ever since it was assembled.

(3) The world overflows with the effulgent appearance of the beloved.
Develop the power of sight first, then enjoy the spectacle of its maker's power.

(4) Majnun's soul has departed, but it still wanders in search of Laila.
Whomever love ensnares, even death cannot release.

(5) Calm endurance is an ally, but fainthearted. Otherwise our meeting last night
would have seen both her hauteur and my submissiveness yield to one bold move.

(6) To cast a despairing eye on the prey-killer is more than abundant good fortune.
Oh mortally wounded prey, the window of the leisure to look is very narrow.

(7) The heart is so ravaged, it's impossible to know
if there was ever any habitation here or if it has been a wilderness for a long, long time.

(8) Her drunken eye caused the entire house of piety to be laid waste.
It's a long time since the whole business of dutifulness, obedience, abstinence was shut down.

(9) Tread carefully, oh Mir, or its tip will push up through your heart,
for sharper than her eyelashes is the thorn of love's wilderness.

 

FWP:

(inspired by SRF's translation)

(1) Oh desirer, don't expect passion to give you any comfort!
The custom of that country is pain and wounds, sorrow and trouble.

(2) The earth is like a picture of unconscious people--
From the start, this party has never been very lively.

(3) The world wholly overflows with the glory of that beloved.
First create vision; then-- enjoy the show of power!

(4) Majnun's haunted spirit is still hunting for Laila.
Not even death releases the bondage of love.

(5) Endurance is a coward-- or else, in yesterday's meeting
The wrestling of desirer and desired would have ended in one bold move.

(6) Even a hopeless glance at that prey-killer is a stroke of luck!
The time left, oh dying prey, is only a sliver.

(7) The heart is so ruined that one can't tell
If it was once inhabited, or has been desolate for ages.

(8) Her intoxicated gaze caused the ruin of the whole Sufi hospice--
The workshop of asceticism and obedience still lies overthrown.

(9) Just step carefully, Mir, or the tip will pierce through your heart!
More mischievous than her eyelashes, is the thorn of the desert of love.

 

Zahra Sabri:

Zahra Sabri is a special guest translator for this site.

(1) O false lover, it is a mistake to think of finding bliss in passion
Pain and hurt and anguish and torment prevail in this country

(2) The earth is akin to the surface of a page depicting the insensible and unconscious
Since the very beginning, the style of company at this assembly has not been very good

(3) The world is full to the brim of the manifestation of that Beloved
Produce vision first, and then see the spectacle of His universe

(4) Even now, Majnun’s departed soul is roving in search of Laila
Even upon dying, the one bound by love is not freed

(5) Forbearance makes a timid ally; otherwise, in yesterday’s meeting
This entire game of coquetry and coaxing could have been won in one bold move

(6) Even the chance to cast a glance of despair on that huntsman is a blessing
The leisure to look is extremely narrow, O fatally wounded prey

(7) The desolation of the heart is so great that it is difficult to know
Whether it was ever a flourishing space, or whether barrenness had long reigned here

(8) Her enchanting gaze caused the plunder of the entire mystic lodge
Till now, the workshop of asceticism, submission, and devotion lies in disorderly confusion

(9) Tread carefully, ‘Mir’ – it will push up its head through your heart
Spryer than an eyelash is the thorn of the desert of Love