لوif توسطتyou took a middle course إذاwhen لمdid not تتركyou give it up
لو توسطت إذا لم تترك
وكففتand you restrained القلبthe heart عنfrom بعضsome الأدبliterary learning
وكففت القلب عن بعض الأدب
Had you taken a middle course when you did not give it up,
If you intercede when you do not relent
and restrained your heart from some literary learning,
And restrain the heart from some decorum
كانwould have been أرجىmore hopeful لكfor you فيin العقبىthe final outcome منthan أنthat
كان أرجى لك في العقبى من أن
تملأyou fill الدلوthe bucket إلىup to عقدthe knot الكربthe bucket’s fastening rope
تملأ الدلو إلى عقد الكرب
it would have been more hopeful for you in the end than
It would be more hopeful for you in fate than
filling the bucket up to the knot of its fastening rope.
Filling the bucket to the brim with sorrow
Sol 6.1