1. ما حل قلبي ولا سكن

    إلا هوى ظبية النجود

    Nothing has settled in my heart or dwelt there

    but love for the gazelle of the uplands.

  2. وردية الخد والوجن

    درية الثغر والعقود

    Rose-hued in cheek and cheekbones,

    pearly in mouth and necklaces,

  3. معشوقة النفس في الوطن

    لكنها ما لها عهود

    beloved of the soul in the homeland,

    yet she keeps no pledges.

  4. إن أقبلت طاب لي الزمن

    وإن جفت ضاق بي الوجود

    If she draws near, time grows sweet for me;

    and if she shuns me, existence closes in on me.

  5. فمن رسولي إلى سعاد

    تعطيني الأمن والخفر

    Who, then, will be my messenger to Suʿad,

    so she may give me safety and protection

  6. من هجرها لليوم والبعاد

    لعل يحصل لي المقر

    from her desertion to this day and from separation?

    Perhaps I may find a resting place.

  7. فالشوق عندي طما وزاد

    وشاع في البدو والحضر

    For longing within me has overflowed and grown,

    and become known among nomads and townsfolk.

  8. وشوش العين والوسن

    وكدر الشرب والورود

    And it has disturbed the eye and slumber,

    and spoiled drinking and coming to water.

  9. ظلمتني أيها الغزال

    ولست بالجائر الظلوم

    You have wronged me, O gazelle,

    and I am no unjust oppressor

  10. عليك في حالة الوصل

    ولا الجفا أيها الغشوم

    toward you in times of union,

    nor in estrangement, O ruthless one.

  11. أكو إلى اللَه ذي الجلال

    وعنده تجمع الخصوم

    I complain to God, Possessor of Majesty,

    and before Him the adversaries are gathered.

  12. نرجوه في السر والعلن

    سبانه غر من ودود

    We place our hope in Him in secret and openly.

    Glory be to Him—[unclear word] from a Loving One.

  13. والآن ما عاد شيء كلام

    قد كان ما كان باللئيم

    And now there is nothing more to say;

    what happened with the ignoble one has happened.

  14. على الربى وأهلها السلام

    تمضي إلى السيد الكريم

    Peace be upon the hills and their people.

    You go onward to the noble master,

  15. بتربة السادة الكرام

    بواد عيديد من تريم

    at the burial ground of the noble masters,

    in ʿAydid Valley of Tarim.

  16. لم نلق في هذه الدمن

    إلا التباريح والصدود

    We found nothing in these remnants of dwellings

    but torment and rejection.

  17. ولي الصبا وانقضى الشباب

    وخيم الشيب في الرءوس

    Childhood has gone, and youth has passed,

    and gray hair has pitched camp upon our heads.

  18. وآذن العمر بالذهاب

    وبالمسير إلى الرموس

    And life has announced its departure

    and the journey to the graves.

  19. عسى عسى يحصل الملتاب

    والعفو من بارئ النفوس

    Perhaps, perhaps, repentance will be attained,

    and pardon from the Creator of souls,

  20. ونحتظي بالأمن والمنن

    والفوز في جنة الخلود

    and we may enjoy safety and blessings,

    and triumph in the Garden of Eternity.