بعَثتُكَ مُرتاداً ففًزتَ بِنَظرَة

وأغفلتني حتَّى أسأتُ بكَ الظَّنَّا

I sent you as a visitor, so you succeeded with a glance,

And you neglected me until I suspected you.

فناجَيتَ من أهوى وكنتُ مباعداً

فيا ليت شعري عن دنوِّكَ ما أَغنى

You whispered to the one you love while I was distant,

Oh, how I wish I knew what drew you near.

وردَّدتَ طرفاً في محاسن وجههَا

ومَتَّعتَ باستماع نَغمتِها أدنَا

You glanced back at the beauty of her face,

And took pleasure in listening to her melody up close.

أرى أثراً منها بعينك بيِّناً

لقد أخذت عيناك من عَينها حُسنا

I see a clear mark from her in your eye,

Your eyes have certainly gained beauty from her eyes.

فيا ليتني كنتُ الرسولُ وكُنتَني

فكنتَ الذي يُقصَى وكنتُ الذي أُدنَى

Oh, how I wish I was the messenger and you were me,

So you would be the one sent far away and I would be the one brought near.