فإن تنأ عني بالوصال فإنني

سأرضى بلحظ العين ان لم يكن وصل

If you distance yourself from me in union, then I

If you withhold your union and keep far from me, then I

Will be pleased with a glance of the eye, if there is no union

Shall be content with a fleeting glance, if union cannot be;

فحسبي أن القاك اليوم مرة

وما كنت أرضى ضعف ذا منك لي قبل

It is enough for me that you met me once today

For it suffices me to meet you just once today,

And I would not have accepted such weakness from you before

Though before, I would never have accepted double that from you.

كذا همة الوالي تكون رفيعة

ويرضى خلاص النفس ان وقع العزل

So the determination of the governor should be lofty

Thus is a ruler's ambition: exalted and lofty,

And he will be pleased with saving his soul, even if he is deposed

Yet he settles for mere survival once he is deposed.