قلَّ منكَ التعطفُ

طالَ منكَ التَّعسفُ

Too scarce from you is kindness

Too long from you is tyranny

كيفَ أنساكَ والفؤا

دُ بذكراكَ مدنفُ

How can I forget you when memory

Of you keeps grief always burning?

كم أخو زفرةٍ يطو

لُ عليكَ التلهفُ

How many a brother of sigh sighs

In longing for you, pining, yearning!

طالَ ما أنشر الهوى الط

طيّ لو كنتَ تنصِفُ

Long have I spread affection's wing for you

Were you to do me justice, discerning.