ناديته وظلام الليل معتكر

ناديته وظلام الليل معتكر

تحت الرواق دفينا في الرياحينِ

تحت الرواق دفينا في الرياحينِ

I called to him while the night's darkness lay thick,

I called to him while the darkness of night was dense,

I called him while the night was pitch dark

beneath the portico, buried among fragrant blossoms.

Beneath the portico, buried among the fragrant plants.

Buried underneath the portico amid the gardens

فقلت قم قال رجلي لا تطاوعني

فقلت قم قال رجلي لا تطاوعني

فقلت خذ قال كفي لا تواتيني

فقلت خذ قال كفي لا تواتيني

I said, “Rise.” He said, “My leg will not obey me.”

So I said, “Rise.” He said, “My leg will not obey me.”

So I said rise, he said my legs won't obey me

I said, “Take hold.” He said, “My hand will not aid me.”

So I said, “Take.” He said, “My hand will not serve me.”

So I said take my hand, he said my hands won't assist me

إني غفلت عن الساقي فصيَّرني

إني غفلت عن الساقي فصيَّرني

كما تراني سليب العقل والدينِ

كما تراني سليب العقل والدينِ

I neglected the cupbearer, and so he rendered me,

“Indeed, I was heedless of the cupbearer, so he made me

I was negligent of the cupbearer, so he made me

as you see, bereft of reason and faith.”

As you see me—bereft of reason and faith.”

As you see me, bereft of reason and faith