1. Is there a doctor for the disease of love, or a healer
Who can heal a brother, sad and tearful?

2. Love had been the most lasting thing in my bosom,
Until separation flowed and took over the rest.

3. Sorrow has afflicted me and longing has grazed my liver.
Oh, woe to my soul from sorrow and longing!

4. I obligate myself to patience while it despairs,
But patience in love has tired every lover.

5. I have no friend in Serendib to take refuge with,
And no intimate but my worries and my vigilance.

6. I spend the night grazing the stars, anxious,
In a reed bed that getting to is hard for one who would ascend.

7. As if the star Althurayya while it wavers
Below the crescent were a lamp shining in an arch.

8. O Nile bank blooming with none to pick it
Nor sky with clouds returning to water it,

9. Nor ceasing to be in gowns of leaves
In silk of fragrant crimson sheen dazzling bright!

10. What bliss if a gentle breeze bore fragrance
Drifting along a stream gurgling and rippling.

11. But greater bliss still is a thirsty she-camel
There at dawn with tinkling bell and bright necklace.

12. Pasture of my steeds, abode of my neighbors and haven
Of my clan, cradle of my manners and boughs.

13. I yearn for it from afar and I love
That with it I live dressed in an unsewn cloak.

14. How can I forget a land where I left
Kinsmen I treasure, for whom my affection and care?

15. When I recall days I spent among them
My tears flow at sunset in torrents.

16. Ho, carrier pigeon, give my family my greetings
And say that still I keep my vow and my pact.

17. And if you pass by the Nilometer bear him
From me the greeting of a soul deep and sincere,

18. While you, ho crested lark that mourns what is past
May yourself be redeemed from one bough to the next!

19. You made me recall days gone when still we were
Gathered in Egypt, though war had not marched.

20. Days I roamed trailing the train
Of my robe amongst the noblest youths vying to win.

21. Ah, what memories - passion kindled among them,
A fire that crept among flesh, nerves, bones and brains!

22. An era gone by, but it left in my heart a love
That almost consumes my insides and sets them aflame.

23. We are subject to the nights in all their vicissitudes
And wield no power over fortune or mishap.

24. Upon me is the wont of the shimmering lightning,
Whenever it gleams, regardless what miser denies.

25. So let no envious critic vex himself over a fate
Decreed inevitable - my God alone guides my steps.

26. I yielded myself to a Guardian unfailing -
Truly He shields from the world and is its Preserver.

27. That thought has lightened my burden since I am a man
Meeting with the days all that every soul will meet.

28. Heart, patience! Sweet patience! All is fore-ordained
To touch man with fortune and freedom alike.

29. No escape from relief after straits end
For all dark nights and the dawn must break.