بذلت من الود ما كنت قبل

منعت وأعطيته جزافا

I gave of affection what I had not before

You bestowed of affection that which you had once

I withheld and gave freely

Withheld, and now gave it lavishly without measure;

وما لي به من حاجة عند ذاك

ولو جدت قبل بلغت الشفافا

And I had no need of him at that time

Yet I have no need of it at such a moment—

And if I had found before, I would have reached clarity

Had you been generous before, you would have reached the depths of my heart.

وما ينفع الطب عند الحمام

وينفع قبل الردى من تلافي

And medicine does not help at the peak

For what avails medicine at the hour of death,

And prevention helps before ruin from repairs

When it only brings remedy before ruin, saving one on the brink?