قالوا السلامُ عليكِ يا أطلالُ

قلت السلامُ على المحيل محالُ

They said, "Peace be upon you, O ruins!"

I said, "Peace upon the desolate is impossible."

فدعوا لتبكيةِ الديار وأهلها

ولنا بأهلِ مودّةٍ أشغالُ

So leave aside weeping for the dwellings and their people,

For we are occupied with those of true affection.