ظَمِئتُ إِلى ماءِ الشَبابِ وَلَم يَزَل

ظَمِئتُ إِلى ماءِ الشَبابِ وَلَم يَزَل

يَغورُ عَلى طولِ المَدى وَيَغيضُ

يَغورُ عَلى طولِ المَدى وَيَغيضُ

I thirsted for the water of youth, and it has never ceased

I thirst for youth’s water, still

to sink deeper with the passage of time and ebb away.

It sinks into the distance, overspills.

تَراهُ مَعَ الإِخوانِ لا تَستَطيعُه

تَراهُ مَعَ الإِخوانِ لا تَستَطيعُه

حَبيبٌ مَتى يَبعُد فَأَنتَ بَغيضُ

حَبيبٌ مَتى يَبعُد فَأَنتَ بَغيضُ

You see it among companions, yet cannot attain it—

You see it with your brothers, can’t attain—

a beloved: whenever it grows distant, you are despised.

Beloved, when you’re far, how I’m in pain!