ألمّتْ بنا يومَ الرحيل اختلاسةً

ألمّتْ بنا يومَ الرحيل اختلاسةً

فأضْرَمَ نيرانَ الهوى النظرُ الخلّسُ

فأضْرَمَ نيرانَ الهوى النظرُ الخلّسُ

She came to us for a stolen moment on the day of departure.

The day of parting afflicted us stealthily,

Then the furtive glance kindled the fires of passion.

So my ardent love ignited the furtive gaze.

تأَبَّتْ قليلاً وهي تُرعدُ خِيفةً

تأَبَّتْ قليلاً وهي تُرعدُ خِيفةً

كما تتأبَّى حين تعتدل الشمس

كما تتأبَّى حين تعتدل الشمس

She held back a little, trembling with fear,

It hesitated a little, quivering with fear,

As the sun holds aloof when it stands overhead.

As the sun falters when it's straight overhead.

فخاطبها صمتي بما أنا مُضْمِرٌ

فخاطبها صمتي بما أنا مُضْمِرٌ

وأنبستُ حتى ليس يُسمع لي حس

وأنبستُ حتى ليس يُسمع لي حس

Then my silence spoke to her of what I held within,

My silence spoke to her with my hidden feelings,

And I whispered so faintly that no sound of mine was heard.

And I was still, so that not a sound was heard from me.

وولَّت كما ولَّى الشباب لِطيةٍ

وولَّت كما ولَّى الشباب لِطيةٍ

طوتْ دونها كَشْحاًُ على بأسها النفس

طوتْ دونها كَشْحاًُ على بأسها النفس

And she turned away, as youth turned away, toward a destination

She turned away just as youth turns from crazed passion,

Short of which the soul folded its flank over its distress.

Folding over its rapacity the cloak of her soul.