ما زلت أحذرُ من وقوعُ فراقهم

ما زلت أحذرُ من وقوعُ فراقهم

وألوذُ منه بصبر حرّ مشفق

وألوذُ منه بصبر حرّ مشفق

I never ceased fearing the coming of separation from them,

Still I fear their separation

And seeking refuge from it in a noble, apprehensive man's patience,

And take refuge in hot, compassionate patience

حتّى ابتليت به فهان شديدهُ

حتّى ابتليت به فهان شديدهُ

والصبر يفتحُ كل باب مغلق

والصبر يفتحُ كل باب مغلق

Until I was afflicted with it, and its severity grew light.

Until I was tested by it and its severity faded

And patience opens every locked door.

And patience opens every closed door

وغذا بدا سببُ النوى دون الهوى

وغذا بدا سببُ النوى دون الهوى

عرفَ اللبيبُ بضعف رأي الأحمقِ

عرفَ اللبيبُ بضعف رأي الأحمقِ

And [when] the cause of separation appears in love's way,

And the cause of purpose appeared other than passion

The discerning man recognizes the weakness of the fool's judgment.

The sensible one knew the weakness of the fool's opinion

والحرّ تسهلُ فيه كلّ شديدة

والحرّ تسهلُ فيه كلّ شديدة

ويهونُ أصبعهُ إذا لم يعرق

ويهونُ أصبعهُ إذا لم يعرق

For the noble man, every hardship becomes easy,

And hardship becomes easy for the free person

And his finger matters little when he does not sweat.

And his finger feels light when it doesn't perspire