وَصَفوا لي عِلاجَ بَرءٍ لِسَقمٍ

قَد بَراني وَالدَهرُ ضَنَّ بِما طَب

They prescribed a cure for an illness

That had afflicted me, and time was unkind with what was acceptable

ثُمَّ قالوا بانَ ذَلِكَ حُبٌّ

مِن نَقى الهَنا وَاِنسَ يَركَب

Then they said it was love

Of the purest affection and fellowship

وَمُضافٌ إِلَيهِ مِن خالِصِ الوُدِّ وَحُس

نِ الوَلا مَزيجُ مُطيب

With the addition of pure affection and feeling

A pleasant, untainted blend

كُلُّ يَومٍ وَلَيلَةً أَتَعاطى

حَبَّةً مِنهُ أَو تُذابُ وَتَشرَب

Each day and night I take

A morsel of it, melted and drunk

وَإِذا ما الحَبيبُ بَلَغَ هَذا

وَهوَ أَدرى بِما يَصِح وَاِدرُب

And when the beloved reaches this point

As he knows best what is right, and is more experienced

قَد تَوَلّى تَركيبُهُ بِيَدَيهِ

وَبِهِ جادَ مُنَعَّماً وَتَحَبَّب

He took it upon himself to compound it with his hands

And with it he was generous, endearing, and affectionate

فاتي لِلسِقامَ أَعظَمَ بَرءٍ

وَلَدى النَفسُ كانَ أَشهى وَأَطرَبُ

So it brought about for my illness the greatest cure

And my soul found it the most delicious and pleasurable

وَهوَ لا شَكَّ نافِعٌ وَمُفيدُ

صَنَعَ مِن طِبٍّ يا أَخي لِمَن حَب

And it is, without doubt, beneficial and advantageous

Made from medicine, O brother, for one who loves

صاحِب صَح عَشرَةً وَوِداداً

وَعَلى الصَحبِ بِالكَمالِ تَغلَب

A companion of good cheer and affection

And excels in perfect companionship

عالَجَ الطِبَّ بِالذَكاءِ فَأَمسى

خَيرَ مَن طَب راغِباً وَتَطيب

He cured with wisdom, and so became

The best to cure, eager and delighted

فَهوَ مِصداقُ ما يُقالُ مِثالا

دَع سُؤالَ الطَبيبِ وَاِسأَل مُجَرِّب

So it is the embodiment of the proverbial saying

Don't ask the doctor, ask the experienced

جادَ عُلونُ ذو النَدى وَالمَعالي

صَيدَلاني الأَفضالِ ذاكَ المُهَذَّب

The exalted master of munificence and nobility

That refined apothecary of supreme virtues

وَقُلِ العَبدَ لِلصَنيعِ شَكورٌ

وَعَلَيهِ الثَنا لِفَضلِكَ أَوجَب

And say, your grateful servant

Is obligated by your favor to praise you

فَاِجعَلَن حَبَّةَ الجَميلِ الَّتي جَد

دَت عَلَيهِ بِها مَعاشاً مُرَتَّب

So make the beautiful seed that you gave generously

With which you provided me a regular livelihood

ثُمَّ عَدلي بِما يَطمَئِنُّ بالي

وِعاءٌ هُوَ الَّذي أَتَرَقَّب

Then treat me with what will give peace to my mind

The vessel that I anticipate