لي مهجة لا تزال إليك مصروفه

ويعوقها عن لقاك الدهر وصروفه

I have a heart forever turned toward you,

But Time and all its vicissitudes keep it from meeting you.

وبعد يا من تملكنا بمعروفه

هذا كتابي إليك على البعد نائب

And now—O you whose kindness has made us yours—

This letter of mine comes to you across the distance, a deputy

عني تقبل يداً بالجود معروفه

For me, kissing a hand renowned for generosity.