إِذا أَنتَ لَم يَدعُ الهَوى فَتُجيبُهُ

وَلَم تَأتِهِ طَوعاً خَرَجتَ بِلا وَطَر

If passion does not call to you so that you answer,

And you come not to it willingly, you depart unfulfilled.

وَخَلَّفَكَ الإيقاعُ تَطرَبُ سادِراً

وَصِرتَ كَنَغمٍ تاهَ في الحَلقِ لَم يَدُر

The rhythm leaves you behind, swaying in bewilderment,

And you become like a melody lost in the throat, unsung.

وَما فَوقَ ظَهرِ الأَرضِ أَنعَمُ عيشَةً

وَأَعرَضُ دُنيا مِن مُحِبٍّ إِذا اقتَدَر

For there is no life upon the face of the earth more blissful,

Nor a world more vast, than that of a lover when he prevails.

فَإِن قُلتَ في الحُبِّ الشَقاوَةُ وَالبَلا

وَفيهِ مُقاساةُ المَكارِهِ وَالعِبَر

So if you claim that in love lie misery and tribulation,

And the enduring of hardships and bitter trials,

فَفيهِ مُواتاةُ الحَبيبِ وَعَطفُهُ

عَلَيكَ وَفيهِ الشَمُّ وَالذَوقُ وَالنَظَر

Yet in it are the beloved's favor and affection

Bestowed upon you; and within it are fragrance, taste, and sight.