سَأَركَبُ بَحرَ الهَوى مُقدِماً

فَأَمّا غِنائي وَإِمّا الغَرَقْ

I will embark on the sea of passion,

Either singing or drowning.

وَأَغيَدَ لَمّا دَجا عَتبُنا

تَبَدّى عَلى الخَدِّ مِنهُ شَفَق

When our reproach darkened,

A sunset glow appeared on his cheek.

صَفا فَوقَ خَدَّيهِ خَمرُ الصِبا

فَكانَ الحَبابُ عَلَيهِ العَرَق

The wine of youth was pure

Above his cheeks, so that sweat was the bubbles upon it.

إِلى اللَهِ أَشكو فَكَم حادِثٍ

طَرا في هَواهُ وَخَطبٍ طَرَق

To God I complain, for how many incidents

Has he who loves flown into dangerous endeavors?

ضَعيفَينِ مِن جَفنِهِ وَالوِدادِ

فَلَيتَ الضَعيفَ لِضَعفي يَرِق

Weak before his eyelids and love,

If only the weak one would melt for my weakness!

وَصَعبَينِ مِن لَوعَتي وَالوِصالِ

فَلا تِلكَ هانَت وَلا ذا اِتَّفَق

And harsh before my agony and union,

Neither has that softened, nor has this happened.

وَماءَينِ مِن وَجهِهِ وَالعُيونِ

وَهَذا أَقامَ وَذاكَ اِندَفَق

And watery before his face and eyes,

While this one stayed, that one poured forth.

وَنارَينِ في خَدِّهِ وَالقُلوبِ

سَناها لِغَيري وَعِندي الحُرَق

And fiery on his cheek and hearts,

He kindled it for others, while I burn.