قالوا تنقَّب وَزُر فقلت لهم

قالوا تنقَّب وَزُر فقلت لهم

أشهَر ما كنت حين أنتقِبُ

أشهَر ما كنت حين أنتقِبُ

They said, “Veil yourself and visit.” I told them:

They said “put on a veil”, so I told them:

“I am most conspicuous when I veil myself.

“My most radiant days were when I went unveiled”.

إن عرفوني وأثبتوا صفتي

إن عرفوني وأثبتوا صفتي

أصبحت دُرّاً والدرُّ يُنتَهبُ

أصبحت دُرّاً والدرُّ يُنتَهبُ

If they recognize me and ascertain my identity,

If they recognize me and prove my qualities,

I become a pearl—and pearls are plundered.”

I will become a pearl and pearls are robbed and plundered.