كَتَبتُ إِلَيهِ أَستَهدي وِصالاً

كَتَبتُ إِلَيهِ أَستَهدي وِصالاً

فَعلّلني بَوعدٍ في الجَوابِ

فَعلّلني بَوعدٍ في الجَوابِ

I wrote to him, seeking the gift of union;

I wrote to him seeking reunion

and he soothed me with a promise in his reply.

He excused himself with a promise in his reply

أَلا لَيتَ الجَوابَ يَكونُ خَيراً

أَلا لَيتَ الجَوابَ يَكونُ خَيراً

فَيُشفى ما أَحاطَ مِنَ الجَوى بي

فَيُشفى ما أَحاطَ مِنَ الجَوى بي

Ah, would that the reply were good,

If only his reply would be good

so that the anguish of love engulfing me might be healed.

And heal what sadness surrounds me