أنا في قبضة الغرام رهين

بين سيفين أرهفاً ورديني

I am captive in love's grasp,

Between two sharp swords it makes me gasp,

فكأن الهوى فتى علوي

ظن أني وليت قتل الحسين

As if passion were a highborn lad,

Who thought I was for Hussein's death glad.

وكأني يزيد بين يديه

فهو يختار أوجع القتلتين

And as if I were Yazid in his sight,

Who chose the crueler death that night.