بعادي كان عذري حين أشكو

بعادي كان عذري حين أشكو

فلا تدري وقد أصبحت تدري

فلا تدري وقد أصبحت تدري

My distance was my excuse whenever I complained;

My distance was my excuse when I complained;

you did not know—but now you have come to know.

So you do not know—though now you do.

فلم أر نجدة كم تدعيها

فلم أر نجدة كم تدعيها

ولو أنجدتني لربحت شكري

ولو أنجدتني لربحت شكري

Yet I saw no succor such as you professed;

Yet I saw none of the aid you so often claim to give.

had you come to my aid, you would have won my gratitude.

And had you helped me, you would have earned my gratitude.

فليتك لم تقيدني بوعد

فليتك لم تقيدني بوعد

يضلُّ وليتني أخفيت أمري

يضلُّ وليتني أخفيت أمري

If only you had not bound me with a promise

If only you had not bound me with a promise

that would go astray—and if only I had concealed my plight.

That leads astray; and if only I had concealed my plight.