Dạ khúc Song of the night

Song of the night

The night is hushed,
And the dreams hide in silence.
The moon is rising ---
She has eyes to watch the day.

Come, daughter of the fields,
And let us go
Into the vineyards
Where the lovers meet.
For it may be
That there we, too, may quench
With love’s good vintage
The drouth of our desire.

Hearken, the nightingale
Pours forth his song
Into the valleys
Which the hills have filled
With the green scent of mint.

Fear not beloved,
The stars will keep the secret of our meeting,
And the soft mist of night
Veil our embrace.

Fear not ---
The young bride of the djinns
In her enchanted cave
Lies sleeping, drunk with love,
And well-nigh hidden
From the houri’s eyes.

And even should the king of the djinns pass by,
Then love will turn him back.
For is he not a lover as I am,
And shall he disclose
That which his own heart suffers?