1. عَزَفتَ وَلَم تَصرِمْ وَأَنتَ صَرومُ

    وَكَيفَ تصابي مَنْ يُقالُ حَليمُ

    You turned away, yet did not sever ties, though you are resolute in parting.

    And how can one called prudent indulge in youthful dalliance?

  2. صَدَدت فَأَطوَلت الصُّدودَ وَقَلَّما

    وصالٌ عَلى طولِ الصُّدودِ يَدومُ

    You turned away and prolonged your estrangement; seldom

    Does union endure through long estrangement.

  3. وَلَيسَ الغَواني لِلجَفاءِ وَلا الَّذي

    لَهُ عَن تَقاضي دَينَهُنَّ هُمومُ

    Fair women are not for cold neglect, nor for the man

    Whose cares distract him from collecting the debt they owe.

  4. وَلَكِنَّما يَستَنجِزُ الوَعدَ تابِعٌ

    مُناهُنَّ حَلافٌ لَهُنَّ أَثيمُ

    But only he seeks fulfillment of the promise who follows

    Their wishes—lavish with oaths to them, a sinner.

  5. وَما جُعِلَتْ أَلبابُهُنَّ لِذي الغِنى

    فَيَيأَسَ مِنْ أَلبابِهِنَّ عَديمُ

    Nor were their hearts made for the rich alone,

    That a penniless man should despair of their hearts.