بلذة العيش عش يا خالي البال

لا ذقت غصة اشواقي وبليالي

Live in life's delight, you whose mind is free of care.

May you never taste the pang of my longings, even through the nights.

لو ادركتك عيون الغيد ناعسة

برمشة لرماك الوجد في الحال

Were the languid eyes of graceful maidens to catch you,

with a blink, passion would strike you at once.

لا بد من نفثات سحرها حرج

من اكحل جفنه يسطو بفصال

Their magic's whispered spells must surely bring distress,

from a kohl-eyed one whose eyelid assails through separation.

وليلة راح فيها الركب منحدرا

الى الغوير ولم يعبأ باثقال

And on a night the caravan set off, descending

toward al-Ghuwayr, heedless of burdens,

وحندس الليل مرخاة كلاكله

وموج داجيه هدار بغلغال

with night's deep darkness, its heavy breasts hanging low,

and the wave of its darkness roaring and rumbling,

يبغى الاجارع من فيحاء كاظمة

والحدو قد رق منه نغمة التالي

seeking the sandy flats of spacious Kazimah,

while the reciter's melody grew tender in the camel-chant,

حتى اذا الصبح حيتنا ظلائعه

برونق سربل الدنيا بسربال

until morning's heralds greeted us

with a radiance that clothed the world in a robe,

والحي لاح لنا من كل زاوية

منه البدور كساها مرط اجلال

and the encampment appeared to us from every corner,

its full moons wrapped in a mantle of reverence.

ضج المحبون يبكي كلهم فرحا

والدمع ما بين مواج وسيال

The lovers cried out, all of them weeping for joy,

and tears ranged between surging and streaming.

حنوا وناحوا وقد صحت عزائمهم

وما لوى عزمهم اقوال عذال

They yearned and lamented, their resolves firm,

and the words of reproachers did not bend their resolve.

وما سلوا ذكر من هاموا بهم ولها

ان المحب لعمري ليس بالسال

Nor did they let go of the memory of those they adored in bewildered passion;

a lover, by my life, is never forgetful.

خفوا للطف الهوى صفر الوجوه ويا

كم راجح خففته بعض آمال

They grew light through love's tenderness, yellow of face—and oh,

how many a weighty man a few hopes have lightened!

أحباب قلبي ان الروح تعشقكم

وعندكم هي في حل وترحال

Beloved ones of my heart, the soul loves you,

and it is with you, whether settled or traveling.

حاربتموني بهجران فاتعبني

هجرانكم ووهى والهفتي حالي

You warred against me by forsaking me, and I was wearied by

your abandonment; my state weakened—alas for me!

قلتم نواصل قاطعتم بلا سبب

لا خير في القول ان ينقض بافعال

You said, 'We will keep our bond,' then severed ties without cause.

There is no good in words if deeds contradict them.

لولا التلذذ بالوعد الشهي لما اس

تلذذت عن ظماء معسول سلسال

Were it not for delight in the sweet promise, I would not have

savored honeyed, limpid water after thirst.

يا قلب صبرا فايام الزمان وان

طالت خيال وما دامت على حال

O heart, be patient, for time's days, even if

they stretch on, are a phantom and never remain the same.

كان الاحبة جيراني وقد بعدوا

والهف قلبي على وقت لنا خال

My beloved ones were my neighbors, but they have gone far away.

Alas for my heart over a time we had, now gone!

وليس عندي سوى سير الخيال بهم

كما مضى العهد في سهل واجبال

I have nothing but imagination's journeys with them,

as in days gone by, through plains and mountains.

مني اليهم ركاب بالغرام سرت

تجول في طور رحال ونزال

From me to them, camels journeyed, driven by passionate love,

roaming in the manner of travelers and those who alight.

كم اخدع الفكر خوفا ان يمر بهم

والصبر بالله ان مروا على بالي

How often I trick my mind, afraid it might pass by them!

And patience comes through God, should they cross my mind.