إِذا أَطَلَّ البَدرُ مِن خِدرِهِ

فَإِنَّما يَطلَعُ كَي تَنظُريه

When the full moon looks out from its chamber,

It rises only so that you may gaze upon it.

وَإِن شَدا البُلبُلُ في وَكرِهِ

فَإِنَّما يَشدو لِكَي تَسمَعيه

And if the nightingale sings within its nest,

It sings only so that you may hear it.

وَإِن يَفُح عِطرُ زُهورِ الرُبى

فَإِنَّما يَعبَقُ كَي تَنشُقيه

And if the perfume of hillside flowers wafts,

It spreads its fragrance only so you may inhale it.

يا لَيتَني البَدرَ الَّذي تَنظُرين

يا لَيتَني الطَيرَ الَّذي تَسمَعين

Oh, would that I were the moon you behold,

Oh, would that I were the bird you hear,

يا لَيتَني العِطرَ الَّذي تَنشُقين

أَواهُ لَو تَصدُقُ يا لَيتَني

Oh, would that I were the perfume you breathe in,

Alas, if only my wishing could come true.