A witness was in Samarkand, they say,

Who spoke as if Samarkand was theirs to sway.

A beauty held captive by the sun’s bright flame,

From its mischief, the foundation of piety became tame.

God's greatness is beyond beauty's end,

From beauty, one might think a mercy does transcend.

You went on, with eyes before you all around,

The hearts of friends were in your keeping found.

You looked and hid this friend in your mind’s view,

A glance once swift, then harsh words you drew.

O foolish head, how long will you pursue this line,

Do you not know that I am a bird caught in your design?

If I see you again with sword in hand,

I’ll cut your head off without a reprimand.

Someone told him, 'Now hold your head, do take care,'

For easier matters should you now prepare.

I don’t think you’ll ever get what you desire,

Lest you endanger life, as hearts catch fire.

When the sincere lover heard the scornful word,

He groaned from within, his pain unblurred.

Let me be slain by the sword's sharp stroke,

And let my body fall in blood and smoke.

Let it be said by both friend and foe,

This is the one who fell by his sword’s flow.

I cannot flee from the dust of your lane,

Let my honor be lost, I feel no shame.

You preach repentance to me, O self-conceited,

Repentance from such words is what you need, indeed.

Forgive me, for all that he does, I’ve seen,

And if he seeks blood, let it be clean.

I have burned each night with its fiery glow,

But by dawn, I rise revived by its sweet flow.

If I die today in the alley of my friend,

I’ll pitch my tent beside him in the end.

Do not back out in this war while you can,

For Saadi lives, whose love killed him, man.