1. O you who show estrangement yet harbor love,
Your love will grow if you become absent.

2. In Egypt we have a neighbor who acts
As if she dwells in the quarters of Jayhan and Darba.

3. Some eyes see her with enmity and avoid her,
While others' eyes truthfully love her.

4. She let you taste union, then turned against you
With a face that never knew adversity.

5. She grew confident in your union, and now
Increases your distance whenever you draw near.

6. If what makes me weep were for a spirit
Beyond her, I'd pour out my tears in hope.

7. But I weep for an effort that gladdens me
When you fall short in thanking the Lord.

8. If you tasted what I suffer, if passion touched you,
You'd rejoice that I gift rather than nurture sorrow.

9. You shielded yourself from love with estrangement—
Would he who did so before had diseased your heart!