وَأَبثَثتُ عَمراً بَعضَ ما في جَوانِحي

وَأَبثَثتُ عَمراً بَعضَ ما في جَوانِحي

وَجَرَّعتُهُ مِن مُرِّ ما أَتَجَرَّعُ

وَجَرَّعتُهُ مِن مُرِّ ما أَتَجَرَّعُ

And I confided to Amr some of what lies within my breast,

I confided to someone, for a time, some of my innermost thoughts,

And made him swallow some of the bitterness I swallow.

And made him drink deep of the bitter cup I drink.

وَلا بُدَّ مِن شَكوى إِلى ذي حَفيظَةٍ

وَلا بُدَّ مِن شَكوى إِلى ذي حَفيظَةٍ

إِذا جَعَلَت أَسرارُ نَفسي تَطَلَّعُ

إِذا جَعَلَت أَسرارُ نَفسي تَطَلَّعُ

And one must confide one's troubles to someone loyal,

But I must complain to one who can keep a secret,

When the secrets of my soul begin to emerge.

When my innermost self begins to surface.