فَهَلْ يُبْلِغَنِّي أَهْلَ دَهْمَاءَ حُرَّةٌ

وأَعْيَسُ نَضَّاحُ القَفَا مَرَجَانِ

Will my beloved in Dahma hear of my love from a free woman,

While I am shackled in chains, longing for reunion?

لَقَدْ طَالَ عَنْ دَهْمَاءَ لَدِّي وعِذْرَتي

وكِتْمَانُهَا أَكني بِأُمِّ فُلاَنِ

For long has my passion for one in Dahma burnt within,

And its secrecy I confide to the mother of so-and-so.

جَعَلْتُ لِجُهَّالِ الرِّجَالَ مَخَاضَةً

ولوْ شِئْتُ قَدْ بَيَّنْتُهَا بِلِسَانِي

I pretend infatuation with dimwitted men,

When if I wished, my tongue could reveal her plainly.