جاءَ سَعيدٌ لي بِشاةٍ

ذاتِ سُقمٍ وَدَنَف

Sa'eed brought me a ewe

Sickly and thin

ناحِلَةِ الجِسمِ إِذا

ما هِيَ مَرَّت بِالجِيَف

Emaciated when

She passes the carrion

صاحَت عَلَيها ها هُنا

يا أَختَنا ذاتِ العَجَف

They shout at her, here,

Our skinny sister

تَخنُقُها العَبرَةُ إِن

مَرَّت بِأَصحابِ العَلَف

Sorrow chokes her

When she passes those who are well fed

كَم قَد تَغَنّى وَلَها

شَوقٌ إِلَيهِ وَلَهَف

How much did she yearn and desire

Longing and ardour for him

وَقَد تَقَطَّعَت إِلى

وَجهِكَ شَوقاً وَأَسَف

And she pined for

Your face, ardent longing and regret