سريت والليل داج

وللسواقي عجاج

I walked while night was dark,

Towards the rivers with clamoring frogs.

أسعى إلى حاجتي

كأنما أنا حاج

I headed towards my desire,

As if I were a pilgrim.

وحاجتي في حمىً

محصنِ الأبراج

And my desire was in a fortress,

Protected by high towers.

عالٍ يحفُّ به

من الحديدِ سياج

It was surrounded

By an iron fence.

شكت على سوره

شوائكٌ من زجاج

I complained of its wall—

A lattice of glass.

وقفت في بابه

كالسائل المحتاج

I stood at its gate

Like a beggar in need.

مستطلعاً وجهها

لعله ذو انبلاج

Looking for her face,

Hoping it would smile.

ومر ليلي وبي

وجدٌ شديد اللجاج

My night passed while I

Met with refusal.

وعدت في خيبتي

من بعد لثمِ الرتاج

After being spurned,

I returned in disappointment.