A gazelle came selling fresh-plucked flowers,
Their beauty enhanced by artful display.
Her arms full of bright roses and anemones,
She said: ''Will you not buy of me a flower?''
I said: I wish to buy your finest flower,
And I will lavish on it all I have.''
She said: ''Then buy the anemone like unto
A goblet of wine or maiden's lips.''
I said: ''No.'' She said: ''Then buy a rose bloom,
Truly the queen among all flowers.''
I said: ''No.'' She said: '' So buy, if you will, a lily.
Flowering in frigid white.''
I said: ''No.'' She said: '' Buy then a jasmine,
Gifted with the hut of dawn,''
I said: ''No.'' She said: '' So buy the narcissus,
That frames specks of gold in icy silver.
I said: ''No.'' She said: '' Buy then the myrtle.''
I refused, and with narrowed gaze and neck inclined,
She said: '' Let me be; I have naught else to offer.''
I said: '' you have yet the flower of your cheeks,''
She said: '' For what price would you have it?
I said: ''My whole being''
She said: ''What might that flower avail you,
With once your being lost?''
I said: '' My gain from the purchase
Is a passion higher than all profit.
Truly the loftiest of pleasures it is
That leads to utter effacement.
The joy of drunkenness is at its peak
When the righteous departs from his path.
The farthest limit of my voyage
I reach after passing beyond all bounds.''