Dost thou remember when we dwelt secureAmong the righteous, and love's song was pure?
The heavens spread around us melodyOf tenderness and peace, O memory;
Dost thou remember nights of clearest sheen,When from thy flowing spring I drew between
The secrets of thy gifts? I saw thee riseInspiring faith—in every gaze, the wise;
Dost thou remember when we kept the night,And I would listen to sweet songs' delight?
When thou didst tell a tale, thy voice would ringLike Samarra's—who'd think thy song could sing?
Dost thou remember when I was a maidUnafraid, who scanned the distant skies and stayed
To wonder what the heavens held concealed—Thy sound good sense the truest speech revealed;
Dost thou remember when I sought to weighMy stance the day we parted, and the fray
Of longing grew? Love fluttered all around,And envied us our bliss—the moon withdrew;
The folk would vex us with the envious tongue—What care I for the crowd? Thy heart my song;
When thou didst grieve the schemer's crooked way,We'd meet again—our rapture's sweet display;
Our hearts would whisper, pledges to renew,Exchange life's grievances, break every rue;
O Mother—my dear daughter—thus the heartThat loves doth ring: its light sets cheeks apart;
Dost thou remember nights when passion burned,And thy far parting left my spirit turned
To flames of care? Alas, the heart that yearnedWept tears of tenderness when sleep returned;
My heart gives thanks to God for this reunion,The swaying heart between affections' tune;
The sober mind recalls those days of peace,As though we lived—and time's sweet songs not cease;
Alas, remembrance stirs thee, mother dear—Each pulse within my breast is drowned in fear;
It flutters like a bird in storm and cloud—How long must I between delight and shroud?
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