بعثت لكم مثلى مشوقا قد انطوى

على أضلع ما تحتهن فؤاد

I have sent you my likeness, alluring,

Wrapped around ribs with a heart underneath,

لواها غرام في هواكم وصبوة

وأضناه هجر منكم وبعاد

Smitten with passion for you and youthfulness,

And choked by estrangement from you and distance.

اذا رقد العشاق أو سلوا الهوى

فما يعتريه سلوة ورقاد

When lovers sleep or indulge in love,

No tranquility or rest comes over them.

تخيّر أثواب الضنى فى هواكم

فليس له فى غيرهن مراد

Choose the garments of longing for your love,

For he has no wish but for them.

اذا لبس الأثواب وهي بليلة

ينشفها حر الهوا فتكاد

When he wears the garments at night,

The heat of passion dries them out almost completely.

تكاد به تفنى احتراقا بلبسها

وبالخلع عنها الاحتراق يذاد

He nearly perishes from wearing them, consumed,

While taking them off, the burning is kept at bay.

وقد كان للحلاج حينا مصاحبا

لتذهب منه خلطة ونكاد

For a time Hallaj had a companion

To remove the impurity and evil from him.

ويصلح أن يحظى بخدمة مثلكم

فخدمتكم فيها هدى ورشاد

It is fitting that he enjoy the service of the likes of you,

For your service contains guidance and integrity.

وأكسبه مجدا وجودا وعزة

هوى عندكم أضحى له ووداد

And bring him glory, generosity and honor -

Love for you has now become his affection and friendship.

فان ريم منه النفع مدّ ظلاله

وساعة يولى النفع فهو جواد

So if he gains no benefit, extend your shade over him,

And sometimes when benefit turns away, he is generous.

وكم لبس الناس الذى هو خالع

سدى واستفادوا منه ثم أفادوا

How many people wore what they later doffed

Futilely, and benefited from it, then gave benefit!

غدا سببا أرجو به من ودادكم

عزيزا به صعب القياد يقاد

Tomorrow, I hope to obtain from your affection

A dear one, led with difficulty, by it to be led.