1. حَمَّلتني يُد الهوى أوزارَه

    ليته جازَ بالحمى أو زارَه

    Love’s hand has laden me with its burdens.

    If only he would pass by the sanctuary, or visit it.

  2. قَمَرٌ أرقص المحبّ تَمني

    ه اختلاساً بفكره واستطاره

    A moon: longing for him made the lover dance,

    stealthily seizing his thoughts and sending him soaring.

  3. أبصرته عيناي في مَلْعَبِ الخيل

    فأنشدته وخفتُ ازوِراره

    My eyes beheld him in the equestrian arena,

    so I recited to him, fearing he would turn away:

  4. يا هلالاً يدور في فَلَك الما

    ورد رفْقاً بأعين النظّاره

    O crescent, circling in the orbit of al-Māward,

    be gentle with the spectators’ eyes.

  5. قِف لنا في الطريق إِن لم تزرْنا

    وقفةٌ في الطريق نصف الزياره

    Stop for us along the road, if you will not visit us;

    a stop along the road is half a visit.

  6. فثنا عطفه وأعرَضَ صَفحاً

    ولوى جيده وابدى نِفاره

    Then he turned his shoulder and turned aside,

    and twisted his neck and showed his aversion.

  7. ليت لي في هواه نظرة إِشفا

    ق ودعهُ من بعدها واختياره

    If only, in my love for him, I received a compassionate glance;

    and afterward leave him to his own choice.