1. The hands of Saba, O honored one, after you
My eyes found no other view pleasing,
١. أَيادي سبا يا عَزَّ ما كُنتُ بَعدَكُم
فَلَم يَحلُ لِلعَينَينِ بَعدَكِ منظَرُ
2. And she claimed that I changed after her,
But who, O honored one, does not change?
٢. وَقَد زَعَمَت أَني تَغَيَّرتُ بَعدَها
وَمَن ذا الَّذي يا عَزَّ لا يَتَغَيَّرُ
3. My body changed, yet selfhood is as you knew it,
And none aware of your secret informed another,
٣. تَغيّرَ جِسمي وَالخَلِيقَةُ كالَّذي
عَهِدتِ وَلَم يُخبَر بِسرِّكِ مُخبَرُ
4. Does the son of Layla hope for eternity, alone
Among mankind, or expect thriving prosperity?
٤. أَبعِد اِبنِ لَيلى يَأَمَلُ الخُلدَ واحِدٌ
مِنَ الناسِ أَو يَرجو الثَراءَ مُثمِرُ