ما اعتاض واهب نفسه عِشِّيقه

عوضا ولو ملك الهوى أطواقه

The lover does not blame his beloved

In return, even if he possesses her necklace

يعطي المحبّ عشيقه آماله

وييحه من حبّه أخلاقه

The lover gives his beloved his hopes

And presents her with his manners out of love

ويصير عبدا في يديه وخادما

ويصونه ويزيده إشفاقه

He becomes her slave, serving at her hands

Protecting and increasing his compassion for her

يغذوه أطيب مأكل ويذيقه

ما يستلذّ مساغه ومذاقه

He feeds her the finest foods and lets her taste

What pleases her palate and flavor

ويشمّه عودا ومسكا فاخراً

ويجيد بالكافور منه فياقه

He anoints her with incense and expensive musk

Skillfully perfuming her clothes with camphor

ويهينه المعشوق بين دلاله

متمنّعا وينيله استحقاقه

Yet she disdains her lover among her coquetry

Acting coy and taking his merits for granted

فإذا حباه أجل ما في ملكه

وأثابه بفعاله إرفاقه

So when he gifts her the best of what he owns

And rewards her kindly actions with favors

أعطاه أسفلهُ وقال له كذا

يحزى منيل عدوّه أعلاقه

She gives him her lowest self and says that is how

One rewards who makes his enemy his summit