وَحَليمِ الشَّوق مدَّ يداً

وَحَليمِ الشَّوق مدَّ يداً

بِزمامٍ مَسَّه سَفَهُ

بِزمامٍ مَسَّه سَفَهُ

Many a man patient in longing stretched out a hand

The patient lover reached out

With a rein touched by folly,

With reins touched by folly

وظلامُ اللَّيلِ معتَكِرٌ

وظلامُ اللَّيلِ معتَكِرٌ

وَطَريقُ الحَزْنِ مشتَبِهُ

وَطَريقُ الحَزْنِ مشتَبِهُ

While the darkness of night was thick

And the darkness of night prevailed

And the path through rugged ground indistinct.

And the path of sorrow confused

عقَدَتْ بالنَّجمِ صَبوتُهُ

عقَدَتْ بالنَّجمِ صَبوتُهُ

ناظِراً يُغفي وَيَنتَبِهُ

ناظِراً يُغفي وَيَنتَبِهُ

His yearning tethered to the star

His hopes tied to a star

An eye that dozes and wakes.

Looking, drowsy, alert