دَعيني أَنَل مالاً يَنالُ مِنَ العُلا

يَسعى كَدَّ في الإِقامَةِ وَالنَقلُ

Let me attain wealth that cannot be attained

With toilsome residence or travel far and wide

وَلا تَحسَبيني أَنثَني مِن صُعوبَةِ

فَسَهلُ العُلا في الصَعبِ وَالصَعبُ في السَهلِ

Think not that hardship can make me bow down

For steep ascents are easy on high cliffs beside

تُريدينَ إِدراكَ المَعالي رَخيصَةً

وَفيها التَغالي بِالنُفوسِ وَبِالبَذلِ

You wish to reap sublime heights effortlessly

Though souls therein must strive and hands provide

فَلا بُدَّ لِلجاني مِنَ الوَردِ شَكَّةً

وَلا بُدَّ دونَ الشَهدِ مِن أَبَرِّ النَحلِ

To reach his goal the lover must cross a thorny patch

Without the sting, no taste of honey can abide