English
The Beloved Answers the Messenger Once More
When she came to an understanding with her confidant,
she opened her lips and spoke to her freely.
With great modesty she said: my dear friend,
go and comfort that heartsick soul, win his heart back.
For a fresh love is kindling in my heart,
and my heart burns for his helpless state.
The fire that flickers in his lamp,
burns even hotter in my own mind.
If love's flood swept him away,
I too am drawn toward that same flood.
If sorrow for me has worn him down,
I too am bound to him with all my heart.
If you want the truth, my heart is his;
for who is there who would not love the one who loves?
If now and then I put on airs,
I was only testing the worth of his faithfulness.
Now I have turned away from that defiance,
from drawing a dagger on those who love me.
I have grown weary of cruelty and betrayal;
that is over, and I have let it go.
If a thorn pricked him on our path,
if some hurt from me reached his heart,
may he find a whole life in every wound,
and a rose garden in every thorn.
In my kindness beg his pardon many times,
go gently to him and say: dear friend,
if your heart aches with love for me,
I too, from grief for you, fear I may die.
Your longing keeps me from any task;
I have no other love in all the world but you.
The sorrows you endured have come to an end;
you have reached the treasure you were seeking.
Do not put off the promise of our union to tomorrow;
clear the chamber of every stranger.
Sit down and wait for me,
but do not let this secret spill to anyone.
It is better to guard your good name,
and better to hide your secret from everyone.
That night he did not sleep from making so many plans,
turning the matter over in every possible way.
He kept telling the story of me, the madman;
all night long he told this tale to himself.