1. إلى منه جفاك اللي تودّه

    ولا تدري وش الّلي عنك صدّه

    If ever the one you love shuns you,

    And you do not know what turned him away from you,

  2. تجرّع مالح العبرات واصبر

    ترى كثر الشكاوى ما تردّه

    Swallow your salty tears and be patient;

    For much complaining will not bring him back.

  3. وإلى من الّليالي عوّدت بـه

    تغانم كل فايت واستردّه

    And if ever the nights bring him back,

    Seize every lost moment and reclaim it.

  4. حذار تنشغل بعتاب خلّك

    ترى كثر العتب يمحي المودّه

    Beware of dwelling on reproaches to your beloved;

    For too much reproach erases affection.

  5. ليالي العمر لحظاتِ قصيرة

    ومـا ودّعت منها لا تعدّه

    Life's nights are brief moments,

    And do not count those you have said farewell to.

  6. تنهَض مثل صقرِ مد شوفه

    غداة الصبح روحه مستهدّه

    Rise like a falcon casting its gaze afar,

    At daybreak, its spirit eager to be loosed.

  7. وإذا حوّل على جول الحباري

    تولَّى خربها وإن طار ردّه

    And when it swoops upon a flock of bustards,

    It takes on their cock and, if he flies, turns him back.

  8. ترى الرجَال يثبت للشّدايد

    إذا ما هدّها وإلاّ تهدّه

    For a man stands firm against hardships:

    If he does not break them, they will break him.