لا يُؤيسَنَّكَ مِن مَخبَأَةٍ

مَنَعَ تَدُلُّ بِهِ وَلَو فَدَحا

Let no despair make you give up seeking

A treasure, though the quest be fraught with toil,

وَلا يَصُدُّكَ عَن زِيارَتِها

قَولٌ تُغلِظُهُ وَأَن جَرَحا

Nor let a threatening word turn you from visiting

Her you desire, though wounds ensue from broil.

عَسَرَ النِساءَ إِلى مَياسِرَةٍ

سُرعانَ ما كانَ وَما أَطرَحا

Hard women soon grow gentle when addressed.

What seemed rejected, if pressed again, finds place.

فَالقِفلِ يَفتَحُ ما تُعالِجُهُ

وَالصَعبُ يُمكِنُ بَعدَ ما جَمَحا

Bolts yield to him who tries key after key;

And stubborn tasks, essayed with method, grace.