عَلى بابك السامي تعوّقتُ مدّةً

وَما نلتُ لَما أَن دخلت مَرامي

For a time I lingered at your lofty gate,

Yet gained no purpose when admitted in.

وَقالوا فلان قَد أَتى الدارَ زائِراً

فَبادر وَقابله بحسن سَلام

They said: "Such-an-one has come to see thee as a guest;

Haste to meet him with kindly greeting."

فَقُلتَ لَهُم كفوا فَلَستُ بِراحم

وَلا تَسألوني عَنهُ فَهوَ غلامي

But thou said'st unto them: "Let him begone!

I am not one to show compassion."

وَقابلتَ أَشواقي إِلَيك بجفوةٍ

وَجُرتَ وَلم تسمح ببعض كَلام

And thou didst meet my warm desire for thee with cold disdain,

And rudely turned away, nor would'st permit the least converse.

وَإِني إِذا قاطَعتَني أَو وصلتني

لراضٍ بِما تقضي فَأَنت إمامي

Yet, whether thou forbid or suffer me to visit thee,

I am content with that which thou decreest; for thou art my guide.