أَتاني وَدوني بَطنُ غولٍ وَدُونَهُ

عِمادُ الشَبا مِن عينِ شَمسٍ فعابِدُ

He came to me while my inner self was in turmoil,

Like pillars of youth in the sun, devout they are.

نَعيُّ اِبنِ ليلى فاِتَّبَعتُ مُصيبَةً

وَقَد ضِقتُ ذَرعاً والتَجَلُّدُ آيدُ

I lamented Layla's son so misfortune followed me,

I was vexed and patience is burdensome.

وَكِدتُ وَقَد سالَت مِنَ العينِ عَبرَةٌ

سَها عانِدٌ مِنها وَأَسبَلَ عانِدُ

I was frustrated as tears flowed from my eyes,

Unyielding they flowed, pouring unabated.

قَذيتُ بِها وَالعينُ سهوٌ دمُوعُها

وَعُوّارُها في باطِنِ الجَفنِ زائدُ

I reproached them but the eyes err, their tears

And their disgrace inside the eyelids pile.

فَإِن تُرِكَت لِلكُحلِ لَم يَترُكِ البُكا

وَتَشرى إِذا ما حَثَحَثَتها المَراوِدُ

If left to kohl, weeping would not cease

And they gather droplets if enticed by the spy.

أَموتُ أَسىً يَومَ الرِجامِ وَإِنَّني

يَقينًا لرَهنٌ بالَّذي أَنا كائِدُ

I die of sorrow on the day of thunderbolts and I

Am certain a pledge to that which I scheme.

ذَكَرتُ لَيلى والسَماحَةَ بَعدَما

جَرى بينَنا مورُ النَقا المُتَطارِدُ

I recalled Layla and cordiality after

The bitter conflict flowed between us.

وَحالَ السَفا بَيني وَبينَكَ وَالعِدى

وَرَهنُ السَفا غَمرُ النَقِيَةِ ماجِدُ

And the hatred came between me and you and enmity

And the hatred’s pledge flooded the pure with disgrace.

حَلَفتُ يَمينًا بالَّذي وَجَبَت لَهُ

جُنوبُ الهدايا وَالجِباهُ السَّواجِدُ

I swore an oath by Him to whom

Bow prayer niches and reverent foreheads.

لَنِعمَ ذوو الأَضيافِ يَغشونَ بابَهُ

إِذا هَبَّ أَرياحُ الشِّتاءِ الصَوارِدُ

How excellent are those with hospitality, their doors

Are frequented when winter winds blow.

إِذا اِستَغشَتِ الأَجوافُ أَجلادُ شَتوَةٍ

وَأَصبَحَ يَحمومٌ بِهِ الثَلجُ جامِدُ

When innards are clad in hides from the severity of cold

And ice blankets the fevered, frozen solid.