وَأَهدى ليَ المَحبوبُ الأترُجَّ مُحسنا
فَيا حُسنَهُ مَولىً بِهِ عزَّ عَبدُهُ
The beloved gifted me citrons, graciously,
What a splendid master he is—through him his servant is ennobled!
ثَمانيَ حَبّاتٍ غَرَسنَ مَحَبَّةً
وَهَيَّجنَ مِن وَجدٍ تَقادَمَ عَهدُهُ
Eight fruits planted love
And stirred a passion whose covenant was old.
تَجمَّعَ لي المثلانِ لوني وَلَونُها
كَما اِجتَمَعَ الضدّانِ قُربي وَبعدُهُ
Two likenesses came together for me: my color and theirs,
As two opposites came together: my nearness and his distance.
وَلَكن حَوى راءً وَجيما حُروفُهُ
فَرَجَّيتُ أَن يَسخُو وَيَذهَبَ ضِدُّهُ
Yet its letters held an r and a j,
So I hoped he would grow generous and his stinginess depart.
وَجاءَ كَما يُرجَى مِن الصَخر لينُهُ
وَمِن حَرِّ أَنفاسي وَقَلبي بَردُهُ
But his yielding came as softness is hoped for from stone,
And coolness from the heat of my breath and heart.
أُعَلِّلُ قَلبي بِالأَماني وَكَم صدٍ
رَأى الماءَ لَكن لَيسَ يُمكنُ وِردُهُ
I beguile my heart with wishes—and how many a thirsty man
Has seen water, yet could not reach its spring.
فَحَسبيَ مِن وَصلٍ كَلامٌ وَنَظرَةٌ
وَذا غايَة الصَبِّ العَفيفِ وَقَصدُهُ
Enough union for me is a word and a glance;
That is the chaste lover’s utmost aim and desire.
وَلَم أَرَ مِثلي كانَ أَكتَمَ لِلهَوى
صِيانَةُ حُبِّي إن يُدَنَّسَ بردُهُ
Never have I seen anyone like me more secretive about love,
Guarding my love lest its mantle be stained.
Sol 5.6