لم يعلم الشوق الا من مطوقةٍ

فهمت عنها الذي قالت ولم تبن

None knows longing but the enamored captive,

Who understood from her words though she did not explain.

لا مثلها وسقيط الطل يضريها

في عاتقي حلة من سندس اليمن

None compares to her, even the falling rain refreshes her.

She wears a Yemeni silk robe around her neck.

تذكرت ساق حّرٍ وهي تندبه

في الأخضرين من الظلماء والفنن

I recalled a free woman's leg as she mourned it

Among the dark-skinned and the beauties.

كأنهن بأعلى الدوح اذ سجعت

روم نواطق بالألفاظ من بدن

It was as if they were at the top of the sand dune when she chirped,

Roman eloquent speakers with wonderful bodies.

والنجم منهزم أولى كتائبه

والصبح يغسل ثوب الليل من درن

The leading stars retreat as the dawn

Washes away the garment of night with dew.

والروض يرشف ريق الطل عن نزقٍ

وليت لي مثله ممن يعذبني

The meadow waters the plants with drops from the clouds,

I wish I had someone like her who tortures me.

دع المنى ربما نيلت بلا طلب

وربما وقع الحرمان في المهن

Leave wishes; you may attain without seeking,

And deprivation may befall you from the destined.