إذا مطلت امرأ بحاجته

إذا مطلت امرأ بحاجته

فامضِ على منعه ولا تحِدِ

فامضِ على منعه ولا تحِدِ

If you put a man off over his request,

If you strain a man with your demands

then persist in denying him, and do not waver;

Go without restraint, and do not chide

فلستَ تلقاه شاكراً ليدٍ

فلستَ تلقاه شاكراً ليدٍ

قد كدَّها المطلُ آخر الأبدِ

قد كدَّها المطلُ آخر الأبدِ

for you will not find him grateful for a favor

You'll not find him grateful for a hand

that delay has worn out—even to the end of time.

Worn out by pleas till the end of time