Do you remember when we tasted bliss, the night with curtains drawn on fading light, the spirit drinking from sweet incense-cups, the soul at peace, the self a child who hears love's call?
Do you remember nights eternal in their grace, when I would gaze on all your gifts and charms, exchanging speech like brimming cups, and pour from longing hearts what tenderness still warms?
Do you remember finding you in fever at night's repose—I opened wide my heart to drink tears from a spring that groaned, and would have opened breast and ribs to make a shrine for beauty's highest rose?
Do you remember when I prayed you'd stay my station, seeking you with ardor, depth, and yearning fire, while love beat round us like a fluttering wing, and fortune watched this bliss—then hid its gyre?
Do you remember when one soul conversed, whispers disturbing us—we feared some envious eye; you hid your love behind your chaste bright smile, my hand caressed your hair with reverent sigh?
Two hearts whispered despite the watchers' spite, exchanged life's grievance, renewed the oath of old, embraced with longing's fervor at the kiss—each spoke to dear ones with affection bold?
My heart gives thanks to God for this communion; the swaying heart sings between heaven's dreams; the ready mind forgot its eloquence—still I beg paradise in sleep's soft streams?
Do you remember nights when longing love, inflamed by distance, wore grief's garment deep, became a heart that weeps with tender tears when sleep draws near and wakeful sorrows keep?
Alas, remembrance! Tender heart, your grace
With every pulse makes wandering hearts embrace
The bird's quick flutter on the stormy day—
How long I suffer, torn between bright ray and gloom!
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