جَاءَتْ بأَنواعِ النَّوَى فَمُجَلْبَبٌ

جَاءَتْ بأَنواعِ النَّوَى فَمُجَلْبَبٌ

أَدَباً وَعَارٍ ما لَهُ جِلْبابُ

أَدَباً وَعَارٍ ما لَهُ جِلْبابُ

She came with kinds of separation: one cloaked

She came with all kinds of purpose, so fascinated

out of courtesy, and one bare, with no cloak.

With manners and honor unrobéd

وعلَى النَّفِيرِ لِمَرِّها أَثَرٌ عَفَا

وعلَى النَّفِيرِ لِمَرِّها أَثَرٌ عَفَا

فَهدَي إليهِ الحَائِرِينَ ذُبَابُ

فَهدَي إليهِ الحَائِرِينَ ذُبَابُ

Upon the departing host, a trace of her passing faded;

And on the battle's roar that left its mark

then flies guided the bewildered to it.

The lost were guided by flies

وإذا رَجَعْتَ إلى الصَّحِيحِ فَإنَّهُ

وإذا رَجَعْتَ إلى الصَّحِيحِ فَإنَّهُ

عَتْبٌ وَعَيشِكَ لَيْسَ فِيهِ سِبَابُ

عَتْبٌ وَعَيشِكَ لَيْسَ فِيهِ سِبَابُ

And if you return to the truth, it is

And if you return to righteousness, it is

reproach—by your life—with no abuse in it.

Reproach, and your livelihood is without insult

وإذا تَباعَدَتِ الجُسُومُ فَودُّنا

وإذا تَباعَدَتِ الجُسُومُ فَودُّنا

بَاقٍ ونَحنُ علَى النَّوَى أَحْبَابُ

بَاقٍ ونَحنُ علَى النَّوَى أَحْبَابُ

And when bodies grow apart, our affection

And if bodies grow apart, our love

endures, and despite separation we are dear friends.

Remains as we are friends over purpose