1. أَبكي وَأَستَخلي كِتا

    بَكِ يا ظَلومُ وَأَستَزيرُه

    I weep and seek to be alone with your letter,

    O Zalum, and ask it to visit me.

  2. فَتَحَرَّجي مِن حَبسِهِ

    عَمَّن يَطولُ بِهِ سُرورُه

    So shrink from withholding it

    from one whose joy it prolongs.

  3. يَأتي الكِتابُ عَنِ الحَبي

    بِ مُمَثَّلاً فيهِ ضَميرُه

    The letter comes from the beloved,

    his innermost feelings embodied in it.

  4. يَحكي السَرابَ بِوَعدِهِ

    ما يَنقَضي أَبَداً غُرورُه

    In its promise it resembles a mirage;

    its deception never ends.

  5. فَيَسُرُّني وَيَهيجُ لي

    حُزناً إِذا قَلَّت سُطورُه

    So it gladdens me and stirs in me

    sorrow when its lines are few.

  6. وَلَقَد عَجِبتُ لِبُخلِهِ

    عَنّي بِشَيءٍ لا يَضيرُه

    And I have indeed marveled at his withholding

    from me something that does him no harm.