1. Yes, I am the one who spent ten years in affliction
Yet did not shed a tear or utter a complaint

2. Yes, I am the one with the steadfast conscience
With patience that this abode cannot constrain

3. Yes, I am the one, so remember the one who saw you
And could not restrain himself or piety

4. You were the pulse of his life and its comfort
And its basil, his glory, poetry and whispering confidences

5. There were visits, pledges you made
In which you vouched that you were his happiness and acceptance

6. And for my sake you forfeited all bonds
Preferring over them all only that shelter

7. For a while we reveled in the days of life
Living like birds savoring the air

8. Melancholy toys with us, then folds its wings over us
And we refuse to let it disturb our joy

9. And however sweet his passion and freshness may be
In it we delighted, bountifully intoxicated

10. It wore both our souls so we were like twins
Seen by people as one .. How noble is sadness!

11. So how did the shining star fall to the ground?
And how did the giant become, my sweetness, withered?

12. You had the power for this impossible thing, and terrified me
With the horror of a separation more painful than affliction

13. I grieved it like one crushed .. or killed by debris
I could not master composure or strength

14. By God, yesterday there was a pampered love
That cajoled me, tempting me to eat something sweet

15. By God, there is a terrible day, dreadful to behold
The affectionate lion has become in it, alas, hostile

16. It had a loving companion but betrayed him
And tortured him - no companion was more inauspicious

17. And made him drink bitter, burning water
When it once gave him the purest drink

18. I wish love had not been an ember
In my heart, for it has destroyed my patience and twisted me

19. I wish I had not seen the date palm tempt
With its fruit, for I never plucked from it a cluster

20. It nearly made me hate even its sanctuary
And I blamed myself for what I tasted, like all who passionately love

21. So whoever prides himself on love, tell him
Go slowly - what makes you leave self glory?

22. For soon you will find in it one day misery
And truly know it, and know its nonsense

23. I used to walk slowly in its pleasures
Until my walking became hurried flight

24. I escaped its woes with my skin
No longer seeing after it any purity

25. And I found no goodness in it but a period
That passed - how weak its principles and how deviant!

26. So do not seek its principles, I have tested it
For long without finding peace or usefulness from it

27. But in the pen there is pleasure and in books
There is joy without misery for those who seek pleasure

28. I was satisfied with it instead of the world of beauty and passion
And it inspired my success and granted my claim

29. It spared me love of Hind and Zainab
And love of the tall Layla or little Fadwa

30. I have not courted so I win the loyalty
Of the arrogant - the noble disdain simpering

31. So by your tune and chant
You taught me the melody and power of song

32. And you taught me to leave estrangement whenever
I am called to speak and leave nonsense

33. Glory has its worldly life and triumphs, and death
Has less of the worldly existence but more of the final rewards

34. And yearning is not infertile to the persevering
Rather, to the active it is most fertile

35. Blessed is the One who leveled, blessed is the One who nurtured
And enriched those who did not possess any assets

36. My sea was raging so I sailed it
With resolve - and after it the sea became gentle

37. So I no longer tyrannize if I have the power
And self urges me to oppression - how inauspicious is tyranny!

38. For unjust power may destroy a weak man
If he takes liberties with power

39. I am innocent - I do not oppress a frightened man
Nor am I one with a fearful heart of contagion

40. And whatever grace there was, is for God alone
He is glorified and most high - and seek forgiveness!