ومقبلٌ كفي وددتُ بأنّه

ومقبلٌ كفي وددتُ بأنّه

أومى إلى شفتيَّ بالتقبيلِ

أومى إلى شفتيَّ بالتقبيلِ

And one who kissed my palm—I wished that he

My hands outstretched, how I wished that he

had motioned toward my lips with a kiss.

Would hint with a kiss for my lips to draw near;

جاذبته فضل العِتابِ وبيننا

جاذبته فضل العِتابِ وبيننا

كبرُ الملول ورقّةُ المملولِ

كبرُ الملول ورقّةُ المملولِ

I traded further reproaches with him, and between us lay

I chided him even as he pulled me close,

the pride of the fickle one and the tenderness of the one he tires of.

Feigning ennui, though my heart pounded with fear.

من لي به والدار غير بعيدة

من لي به والدار غير بعيدة

من داره والمالُ غير قليل

من داره والمالُ غير قليل

Who will bring him to me, when the house is not far

If only he were mine in this nearby house,

from his house, and money is not scarce?

Not far from his home or lacking his cheer;