The Company of the Good

One. Separation from her, or union—
Between the two, separation is the gentler keeping.
If union with the beloved should come to pass,
Her face appears within his own.
But should separation be his lot,
Her countenance fills all three worlds, everywhere.

Two. O beloved! If you must go, then go;
Go, but do not depart so loudly from my lips.
Lightning's strike brings no such pain,
Yet the sound of its fall destroys all peace!

Three. Though you carry two mountains in your breast and seem helpless,
Tell me—who then deserves to be called strong?
She whose wealth sustains the whole earth on its mountains,
How can such abundance ever be called weakness?

Four. A boar comes and says, Lion! What kingdom do you rule?
If you have the courage, come—let us fight this day!
The lion laughs and answers, Well spoken, brother...well said!
Go back, rule your realm...the lion has claimed his victory!
So many tasks await, so much lies upon my hands—
What profit in muddying myself, fighting with a boar?

Five. O my beloved! This plea I make again and again:
Stay there, I beg you, come no closer now!
This place holds only sorrow; living here is hard;
Even the moon's light—I watch it sear my body!

Six. Does your heart still hold me, friend?
But you no longer dwell in mine!
Had heart remained, surely I would dwell in yours,
But you took it with you when you left that hour.

Seven. Though he does nothing, merely stays beside,
All suffering dissolves in that joy.
In this world, whoever loves another so—
Can words inscribe what treasure that becomes?

Eight. Who is virtuous, who is wicked? How can one truly know?
For one man's sin becomes another's merit earned.
The cloud carries salt water yet gives back sweet rain,
The serpent drinks milk yet spews forth only venom!

Nine. Whenever a masterwork falls into hasty hands,
The masses multiply their faults within it.
Just as with a beautiful, graceful form—
Even the fly seeks out wounds to explore.