قالوا عَلِقْتَ بهِ كبيراً سِنُّهُ

بادي العِذارِ وإنَّ ذا لنكيرُ

They said you are infatuated with one advanced in years

An obvious excuse, yet that is an absurdity

فأجَبْتُهمْ والقَلْبُ رَهْنُ بَلابلٍ

ومطيُّ صَدري لوْعَةٌ وزَفيرُ

I answered them while my heart is in the thrall of nightingales

And my breast's steed is neighing and whinnying

إنَّ القُلوبَ على المِلاحِ قوالبٌ

ما لَمْ يَضِقْ عنهُ الصّغير صغيرُ

Indeed hearts are molds for affection

Unless the small should recoil from small