بين باب ابرز ونهر المعلى

ظبيات لهن أسرى وقتلى

Between Bab Abraz and the Muʿalla River,

are gazelles who have captives and the slain.

فاتكات حللن يوم التقينا

من دمي بالإعراض ما ليس حلا

Deadly women, who, the day we met, made lawful

by turning away, the shedding of my blood, though it was forbidden.

هجروا مع تصاقب الدار واست

ل هواهم من جسمي الروح سلا

They forsook me, though our dwellings were close, and—

my love for them drew the soul clean out of my body.

وأبو أن يسامحوا بحبالٍ

ربما نفس الهموم وسلا

And they refused to grant bonds

that might ease cares and bring solace.

فعليهم مع الصبي والتصابي

من سلامي ما دق منه وجلا

So upon them, amid youth and youthful dalliance,

be my greetings, both slight and great.