تَهيمُ بِبَدْرٍ ثُمَّ تَرْجُو لَهُ قُرْبَا

لَعَمْري لَقدْ حَاولْتَ مُمْتَنِعاً صَعْبَا

You yearn for an unattainable moon then hope for its nearness

By my life, you have surely attempted the impossible, the difficult

إِذَا كُنْتَ تَهْوَى البَدْرَ فاقْنَعْ بِأَنْ تَرَى

سَناهُ عَلَى بُعْدٍ وإِلَّا فَمُتْ كَرْبَا

If you love the moon, be content to see

Its radiance from afar, else die of anguish

وَإِنْ لَمْ يَدَعْكَ الدَّمْعُ فانْظُرْ جَمالَهُ

بِقَلْبِكَ إِنْ أَبْقى الغَرامُ لَكَ القَلْبَا

And if tears will not leave you be, behold its beauty

In your heart, if passion keeps your heart flames stoked

وَإِلّا فَيكْفيكَ الخَيالُ مُسلِّماً

وَإِن كُنْتَ مَنْ تَجْفُو مَضاجِعهُ الجَنْبَا

Else let your imagination suffice

If you are one who turns from beds of agony

وَكُنْ قانِعاً مِنْهُ وَحَسْبُكَ مَفْخَراً

بِأَنَّكَ تَضْحَى مُسْتَهَاماً بِهِ صَبّا

And be content with it, and let it suffice you pride

That you sacrifice, consumed with passion for it morning and night