عاتَبتُ فأحمَدَت مآلَ العَتبِ

عاتَبتُ فأحمَدَت مآلَ العَتبِ

إِذ فَسَّحَ دلُّها مَجالَ العَتبِ

إِذ فَسَّحَ دلُّها مَجالَ العَتبِ

I reproached her, and found the outcome of reproach praiseworthy,

I chided her, then praised the outcome of the blame

since her coquetry widened the scope for reproach.

When its hint opened the way for blame

باللَثمِ أُبادِرُ اِحتِيالاً فَمَها

باللَثمِ أُبادِرُ اِحتِيالاً فَمَها

إِن حاوَلتِ السَبَّ خِلالَ العَتبِ

إِن حاوَلتِ السَبَّ خِلالَ العَتبِ

With kisses I hasten to her mouth, as a stratagem,

With a kiss I forestall her ruse, so if she

if she tries to hurl insults during the reproach.

Tried to blame during the blame, forbid her