إِذا ما شَكا ليمٌ إِلَيكَ مُصيبَةً

بِها قَلبُهُ وافي الهُمومِ عَميدُ

When a heartbroken one confides in you

If a sufferer complains to you of his calamity,

His heart laden with sorrows profound

His heart laden with cares and lovesick agony,

فَقُل مِثلَ ما قالَت بُثَينَةُ إِذ شَكا

جَميلٌ إِلَيها الحُبَّ وَهوَ شَديدُ

Say what Buthaina said when Jamīl complained

Then speak as Buthayna spoke when Jamil complained

Of love’s cruel hold, grief abound:

To her of his love, which fiercely reigned:

إِذا قُلتُ ما بي يا بُثَينَةُ قاتِلي

مِنَ الحُبِّ قالَت ثابِتٌ وَيَزيدُ

"My love grows yet more steadfast, more true

"When I said: 'O Buthayna, what I feel is killing me

When you say, 'Buthaina, love kills me'"

Of love,' she replied, 'It is fixed and grows eternally.'"