أما في جنايات النواظر ناظرُ

أما في جنايات النواظر ناظرُ

ولا مُنصِفٌ إن جارَ منهنّ جائرُ

ولا مُنصِفٌ إن جارَ منهنّ جائرُ

Is there no judge of the crimes of eyes,

In the crimes of glances, I am but a witness,

nor anyone fair if one of them does wrong?

And none will judge fairly if they act unjustly.

بنفسيَ من لم يَبدُ قطُّ لعاذلٍ

بنفسيَ من لم يَبدُ قطُّ لعاذلٍ

فَيَرجعَ إلا وَهوَ لي فيه عاذرُ

فَيَرجعَ إلا وَهوَ لي فيه عاذرُ

My soul be ransom for him who never appeared to a reproacher

I swear by my soul, I have never blamed a critic,

without that man returning to excuse me for loving him.

Unless he returns still finding me at fault.

ولا لَحَظَت عيناهُ ناهٍ عن الهوى

ولا لَحَظَت عيناهُ ناهٍ عن الهوى

فأصبحَ إِلّا وَهوَ بالحُبِّ آمرُ

فأصبحَ إِلّا وَهوَ بالحُبِّ آمرُ

Nor have his eyes glanced at anyone who forbids passion,

Nor have my eyes glanced upon one who spurns passion,

without that man becoming one who enjoins love.

Unless he wakes still commanded by love.

يُؤَثِّرُ فيه ناظرُ الفكر بالمنى

يُؤَثِّرُ فيه ناظرُ الفكر بالمنى

وتجرحُهُ باللَمس منها الضمائرُ

وتجرحُهُ باللَمس منها الضمائرُ

The mind’s eye leaves a mark on him through wishes,

In it the gaze of thought prefers wishes,

and the thoughts born of them wound him with their touch.

And consciences wound him with but a touch.