خَليلَيَّ ما أَنصَفتُما إِذ وَجَدتُما

خَليلَيَّ ما أَنصَفتُما إِذ وَجَدتُما

بِذي الأَثلِ داراً ثُمَّ لا تَقِفانِ

بِذي الأَثلِ داراً ثُمَّ لا تَقِفانِ

My two friends, you were unfair when you found

My two companions, you were not fair when you found,

a dwelling at Dhu al-Athl, yet would not stop.

A dwelling by the tamarisk, then did not hold your ground.

وَلَو كُنتُما مِثلي إِذاً لَوَقَفتُما

وَلَو كُنتُما مِثلي إِذاً لَوَقَفتُما

عَلى الرَبعِ أَو وَجدي الَّذي تَجِدانِ

عَلى الرَبعِ أَو وَجدي الَّذي تَجِدانِ

Had you two been like me, you would surely have stopped

For if you were like me, you surely would have stayed

at the campsite—or [had you felt] my longing, which you perceive.

Upon the ruins, or felt the passion I displayed.

فَلا تَقبَلَنَّ الدَهرَ مِن ذي خَلاخِلٍ

فَلا تَقبَلَنَّ الدَهرَ مِن ذي خَلاخِلٍ

حَديثاً وَلا تُؤمِن لَها بِأَمانِ

حَديثاً وَلا تُؤمِن لَها بِأَمانِ

So never accept, in all your days, from a wearer of anklets

So never accept, forevermore, from one who anklets wears,

a tale, nor trust her assurance of safety.

A story told, nor trust in any promise that she swears.