قَرُبتُ بِالبُعدِ مِنَ الناسِ

وَفُضَّتِ الأَطماعُ بِالياسِ

Through distance from the people, I drew near,

and cravings were shattered by despair—

إِلّا بَقايا مِن جَميعِ الهَوى

تَهفو بِلُبِّ الجَبَلِ الراسي

save remnants of every passion,

fluttering in the heart of a steadfast mountain.

دَمعي كَجودي عِندَ بَذلِ النَدى

وَحَرُّ بَأسي مِثلُ أَنفاسي

My tears are like my largesse when bounty is bestowed,

and the fire of my valor is like my breathing.

وَجهي رَقيقٌ يَستَشِفُّ الحَيا

مِنهُ وَقَلبي دونَهُ قاسِ

My face is tender—modesty shows through it,

while behind it my heart is hard.

لا حَظَّ في المَجدِ لِمَن لَم يَزَل

في حَيَّزِ الإِبريقِ وَالكاسِ

There is no share in glory for one who remains

within the confines of ewer and cup.

كُلُّ غُلامِ رامَ خَدعَ العُلى

يَلطُفُ في بِرّي وَإيناسي

Every youth who tries to beguile Glory

courts me subtly with kindness and companionship.