Then the priest came forward, he whose teachings had woven the garland of that wedding. With his right hand he pointed at the slain pair. To the bewildered people, he said, “Cursed will be the hands that reach out to these two bodies, stained with the blood of crime and shame! Cursed the eyes that shed tears of sorrow, for devils bear their damned souls down to Hell! The corpses of this son of Sodom and this daughter of Gomorrah shall lie upon the impure earth, this dust kneaded with their blood, until dogs consume their flesh and the winds scatter their bones. People, go to your homes and flee the stench that rises from within two hearts conceived in sin and destroyed by vice. Go, ye who stand near these two corpses, and hurry away before you are stung by the tongues of hellfire! Whoever among you remains will be excommunicated and will be forbidden to enter a church where the believers kneel in prayer and to partake of the mass offered by Christians!”

Sosan, the girl whom the bride had sent as a messenger to her lover, came and stood by the priest. She looked at him with eyes drowning in tears. Bravely she said, “I will remain here, O blinded unbeliever. I will guard them until the dawn comes. I will dig them a grave beneath these hanging branches. If you will not give me a spade, I will scratch the earth with my fingers, and if you bind my arms, I will dig it with my teeth! Hurry and leave this place, this place filled with the scent of frankincense, for swine avoid the scent of pure perfumes and the thief dreads the owner of the house and the coming of the morn. Hurry to your dark beds. The angels’ songs that fill the air above these two martyrs to love do not reach you, for your ears are plugged with dirt.”

The people dispersed before the grim face of the priest. That girl remained, standing near the two still bodies like a watchful mother guarding her children in the stillness of the night.

When the crowd had gone and that place was empty, she gave herself over to weeping and grief.

IN THE NAME OF GOD, MY HEART

IN THE NAME OF GOD, MY HEART

In the Name of God, my heart,
conceal your passion.
Better to hide your complaint from those
who see you.

He who reveals secrets
is like the foolish man.
Silence and concealment
is better for him who loves.

In the Name of God, my heart, if someone
comes to ask, hide what befell me.

If they say, my heart,
“Who does he desire?”
Say, “She seduced another.
He does not care.”

In the Name of God, my heart, veil your ardor.
You know this disease has made you weak.

Love among spirits
is like wine in a cup.
It appears to be water,
but in truth is life.