1. It pains me that you suffer in prison
And remain for flogging or cleaning floors

2. Chained in irons, I feared
Any harm from guards befalling you

3. And I was saddened that you stay in a house
With nothing but the lowliest in it

4. Serving every despicable, worthless man
If sold, would not fetch a penny

5. I was jealous if another's eyes glanced at you
Sullying the honor of their beholder with filth

6. Faces of dusty men flock around you
As demons flocked around humans

7. Had I been enabled to fulfill my desires
I would have served you myself, not my comrades

8. You say I failed you and broke my vow
Betrayed your friendship and forgot our intimacy

9. God forbid I ever fail you
My days in passion for you surpass the past

10. The tears of my eyes speak
Of your love in tongues of sobs, voiceless

11. My thoughts of you roam all night
And I wake and sleep mournful for you

12. I recall our sweet life now gone
So I lose my peace and gnaw my fist

13. Of the spun tales that pleased you
The melodies that delighted, and cups we drank

14. Alas, alas, alas
For a moon whose rays rival the sun

15. How priceless were our nights, how sweet
Sold for our misery so cheap

16. Nights that held such pleasures
And days, days of wedding bliss

17. Those years have passed and parted us
Trials of fate's ups and downs

18. Cast by the decree of God
Who shot His arrow without a bow

19. Who am I to visit you each day
And strive on my eyes and head?

20. May a kindness from the Merciful arrive
And grant me happiness after sorrow

21. As Iraq was blessed by Him and found
Refuge in His grace, the elite of all mankind

22. I see what the hopeful seek in Him
So I hope in your deliverance beyond despair

23. I will devote my thoughts to praising Him
And composing poetry to you, my gift

24. From Him to you has come a turning
So rejoice in the removal of every setback

25. Quickly pray to Him and be sincere
And warn the tuft on every stubborn beard