وَلَرُبَّ يَومٍ هاجَ مِن طَرَبي

وَلَقَد يَضيقُ بِغيرِهِ ذَرعي

Many a day my heart is thrilled with joy

Yet my life seems straitened by other things

مِن مَنظَرٍ حَسَنٍ وَمِن نَغَمٍ

نَدعوهُ قَيدَ العَينِ وَالسَمعِ

By beauteous sights and melodious sounds

That call up tears to my eyes and ears

لَمّا أَظَلَّ اللَيلُ مَجلِسَنا

طُعِنَ الدُجى بِأَسِنَّةِ الشَمعِ

When night's darkness falls upon our gathering

The gloom is pierced by candles bright and clear