ألا هل لي بلقياه يدانِ

حبيب شأنه عجب وشأني

Shall I meet him whom I desire? though that, alas! seems vain.

For though fate drives me wildly, love leads on a gentler rein.

إذا دنت الديار به فناء

وإن نأت الديار به فداني

When he draws near his dwelling sorrow and joy entrance my heart,

And when we're parted, though it seems but for a little while,

يودّ الليل لو ندنو كلانا

ويدخر النهار لنا التهاني

Both day and night are long to me; night longer than the day,

And gladness now is turned to gloom since he has gone away.

وتأتي شقوتي بالذنب عندي

لها لا للزمان ولا المكان

My sins, not time nor place, have wrought this cruelty in fate;

My sins, not time nor place, so bring me disappointment's weight.