Couplet 1281
Gladness at the thought, rejoicing at the sight,
Not palm-tree wine, but love, yields such delight
Explanation
To please by thought and cheer by sight is peculiar, not to liquor but lust
Couplet 1282
When as palmyra tall, fulness of perfect love we gain,
Distrust can find no place small as the millet grain
Explanation
If women have a lust that exceeds even the measure of the palmyra fruit, they will not desire (to feign) dislike even as much as the millet
Couplet 1283
Although his will his only law, he lightly value me,
My heart knows no repose unless my lord I see
Explanation
Though my eyes disregard me and do what is pleasing to my husband, still will they not be satisfied unless they see him
Couplet 1284
My friend, I went prepared to show a cool disdain;
My heart, forgetting all, could not its love restrain
Explanation
My heart, forgetting all, could not its love restrain
Couplet 1285
The eye sees not the rod that paints it; nor can I
See any fault, when I behold my husband nigh
Explanation
Like the eyes which see not the pencil that paints it, I cannot see my husband's fault (just) when I meet him
Couplet 1286
When him I see, to all his faults I 'm blind;
But when I see him not, nothing but faults I find
Explanation
When I see my husband, I do not see any faults; but when I do not see him, I do not see anything but faults
Couplet 1287
As those of rescue sure, who plunge into the stream,
So did I anger feign, though it must falsehood seem
Explanation
Like those who leap into a stream which they know will carry them off, why should a wife feign dislike which she knows cannot hold out long?
Couplet 1288
Though shameful ill it works, dear is the palm-tree wine
To drunkards; traitor, so to me that breast of thine
Explanation
O you rogue! your breast is to me what liquor is to those who rejoice in it, though it only gives them an unpleasant disgrace
Couplet 1289
Love is tender as an opening flower In season due
To gain its perfect bliss is rapture known to few
Explanation
Sexual delight is more delicate than a flower, and few are those who understand its real nature
Couplet 1290
Her eye, as I drew nigh one day, with anger shone:
By love o'erpowered, her tenderness surpassed my own
Explanation
She once feigned dislike in her eyes, but the warmth of her embrace exceeded my own
