1. ودعته والليل يخفرنا

    والبدر يرمقي ويرمقه

    I bade him farewell while night sheltered us.

    And the full moon gazes at me and at him.

  2. والماء يرجري في تدفقه

    ويكاد ماء العين يسبقه

    And the water runs in its rushing flow.

    And the eye’s tears almost outpace it.

  3. والدل ينهاه تمنعه

    والحب يأمره ترفقه

    And his reserve restrains his coy charm.

    And his tenderness urges on his love.

  4. ولرب خدٍّ بت ألثمه

    والدمع يطفئ ما أحرقه

    And many a cheek have I spent the night kissing.

    And tears quench what it set aflame.

  5. والورد أقطفه لوجنته

    والشوك في قلبي مقوفه

    And I pluck the rose for his cheek.

    And the thorns in my heart—[final word unclear].

  6. لما رأيت والليل زايلنا

    وأذاع سر الصبح مشرقه

    When I looked, as night departed from us,

    And dawn’s rising revealed its secret,

  7. طأطأت لا أرنو لرونقه

    فالحسن يطغى الصب رونقه

    I bowed my head, not gazing at its splendor,

    For beauty’s splendor overwhelms the ardent lover.