وما حيلة المشتاق لمّا تزوره ..

وما حيلة المشتاق لمّا تزوره ..

ملامِحُ من يهوىٰ وتُبقيه مُعدَما ..

ملامِحُ من يهوىٰ وتُبقيه مُعدَما ..

And what recourse has the yearning lover when he is visited

What's the plight of the longing lover when visited

by the features of the one he loves, leaving him destitute?

By the features of the one he adores, yet left bereaved..

أيغمض جفنيه ليبقىٰ معللاٰ

أيغمض جفنيه ليبقىٰ معللاٰ

به أو ينامَ الدهرَ صبًّا ويحلُما ؟!

به أو ينامَ الدهرَ صبًّا ويحلُما ؟!

Should he close his eyelids to remain consoled

Shall he close his eyelids feigning sleepiness

by him, or sleep forever, lovesick, and dream?

Or slumber lifelong, dreaming, and in reverie weaved?!