أَلا تَرى يا صاحِ ما حَلَّ بي

مِن ظالِمٍ في حُكمِهِ مُعتَدِ

Oh friend, see what has befallen me

From an unjust ruler, excessive in his rule

يَقولُ لِلقَلبِ إِذا ما خَلا

يا قَلبِ قُم وَاِطلُب وَلا تَقعُدِ

He says to the heart when alone

Rise my heart, seek, and do not sit still

كَم مِن فُسوقٍ في كَلامٍ لَهُ

وَغَمزَةٍ مَكتومَةٍ بِاليَدِ

How much wickedness is in his talk

And a wink, concealed by his hand

وَلَحظَةٍ أَسرَعَ مِن تُهمَةٍ

تُخيبُ مَن يَسأَلُ أَو يَبتَدي

And a glance, swifter than an accusation

That disappoints whoever asks or initiates

يا مَوسِمَ العُشاقِ قُل لي مَتى

تَخلو مِنَ الغائِرِ وَالمُنجِدِ

Oh season of lovers, tell me when

Will you be free of the cunning and helper

يا مُقمِراً في الشَعَرِ الأَسوَدِ

وَضاحِكاً في أُقحُوانٍ نَدي

Oh you with the shining face in the black hair

And laughing with white brilliant teeth

لَيتَكَ قَد أَحسَنتَ لي مَرَّةً

واحِدَةً أَو حُلتَ عَن مَوعِدي

If only you had been good to me once

Or kept your promise to me