1. أَلَمَّ أَبو يوسُف وَالمَطَر

    فَيا لَيتَ شِعري ما يَنتَظِر

    Abu Yusuf and the rain have come;

    so, if only I knew what he awaits!

  2. وَلَستَ بِآبٍ وَأَنتَ الشَهيد

    حُضور نديّكَ فيمَن حَضَر

    And you are not one to refuse—you are the witness—

    attendance at your gathering among those present,

  3. وَلا مطلعي وَسطَ تِلكَ السَما

    ءِ بَينَ النُجومِ وَبَينَ القَمَر

    nor my ascent amid that sky,

    between the stars and the moon,

  4. وَرَكضي فيها جِياد المَدا

    مِ محثوثَةً بِسِياطِ الوَتَر

    nor my spurring the steeds of wine within it,

    urged on by the string's lashes.