نظرتُ إليها والرّقائبُ حولها

فأعرضتُ خوفاً من عيون الرّقائبِ

I looked toward her while watchers surrounded her,

then turned away, fearing the watchers’ eyes.

وَلم تَكُ إِلّا نَظرةً ثمَّ لفتةً

كنُغْبَةِ ظمآنٍ من الطّير لاغبِ

It was nothing more than a glance, then a fleeting look—

like the quick sip of a weary, thirsting bird:

رَأى الماءَ لا يَسطيع رِيّاً وإنّما

رأى الماءَ والقنّاصَ من كلّ جانبِ

it saw the water, unable to drink its fill, and only

saw the water, with hunters on every side.

ولي مطلبٌ لكنّني لا أنالُهُ

وكم عاقتِ الأقدارُ دون المطالبِ

I have a desire, but I cannot attain it;

how often fate has barred the way to our desires.

أرى الزّاد ممنوعاً وعَذْباً كأنّه ال

سُلافُ ولكنْ لا يَذُلُّ لشاربِ

I see the sustenance withheld, though sweet—as though it were the

choicest wine, yet yielding to no drinker.

وكم صَدّ مِقْداماً وثَبّط ماضياً

على عزمِهِ جهلٌ بما في العواقِبِ

How often has it turned back a bold man and checked one pressing on,

though firm in purpose—ignorant of what the consequences hold.