طافَ مِن سَلمى خَيالٌ

بَعدَما نِمتُ فَهاجا

A phantom from Salma passed by

After I had fallen asleep restless

قُلتُ عُج نَحوي أُسائِل

كَ عِنِ الحُبِّ فَعاجا

I said "Come closer, let me ask

About love - have you knowledge?"

يا خَليلي يا نَديمي

قُم فَأَنفُث لي سِراجا

O my friend, O my companion

Rise and light for me a lamp

بِفَلاةٍ لَيسَ تُرعى

أَنبَتَت شيحاً وَحاجا

In a wilderness where none can graze

Thorn bushes and panic grass grow