مرض الحبيبُ وما درتْ عوّادُه

مرض الحبيبُ وما درتْ عوّادُه

من لحظه المضني دبيب سقامه

من لحظه المضني دبيب سقامه

The beloved fell ill, and his visitors could not discern

From his enfeebling glance the creeping onset of his illness.

قالوا ذُبولٌ مسّهُ فأجبتهم

قالوا ذُبولٌ مسّهُ فأجبتهم

صدقُوا ولكن من قضيب قوامه

صدقُوا ولكن من قضيب قوامه

They said, “Withering has touched him”; I answered them:

“They spoke truly—but it is the withering of his branchlike form.”