I love this soulful lamenting,
That, in whatever way, lets me pass the day.
Night after night, I wait for a dawn
That brings the beauty of that radiant face—no ordinary dawn will do.
Oh, if I could once more see his kindness-bringing face,
I would thank my fortunate stars till eternity.
If I turned away from stones of blame,
How could I then stand as a shield against love’s piercing arrows?
Those who seek fulfillment must first taste disappointment—
One must endure winter to reach the spring of Nowruz.
Wise men ignore the head of Layla’s beauty,
Only Majnun has the grace to burn his own harvest.
Lovers of both faith and worldliness have a unique virtue,
A quality not found in those hoarding wealth and status.
Catch another in your snare, for I am already bound—
The trained bird needs no rope around its foot.
Saadi, yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is not yet here,
Between the two, seize the chance of today