رَأَيتُ المُحِبّينَ الصَحيحَ هَواهُمُ

إِذا بَلَغوا الجُهدَ استَراحوا إِلى البُكا

I saw true lovers when they reached the limit of their passion, they rested in tears

I saw those lovers whose passion is true,

But Ayyub, whenever his heart remembered the one we do not name, stirred,

When pushed to the limit, find solace in tears;

وَلَكِنَّ أَيّوباً إِذا ما فُؤادُهُ

تَذَكَّرَ مَن لَسنا نُسَمّي تَحَرُّكا

Called for an inkwell at that meeting, and wrote their name on his palm, then erased it

But Ayyub, whenever his heart recalls

If lovers were satisfied with what you were satisfied with, no longing would yearn, nor complain

The one we name not, is stirred with emotion;

دَعا بِدَواةٍ عِندَ ذاكَ مُلاقَةٍ

فَخَطَّ اسمَهُ في كَفِّهِ ثُمَّ دَلَّكا

He calls for an inkwell, ready at hand,

Writes the name on his palm, then rubs it deep;

فَلَو كانَ يَرضى العاشِقونَ بِمِثلِ ما

رَضيتَ بِهِ ما حَنَّ صَبٌّ وَلا شَكا

If lovers were satisfied with the likes of what

Has satisfied you, no lover would moan or complain.