هَلْ لِمُعاني الهوى دَواء

أمْ هل لِعاني الهَوى فِداءُ

Is there a cure for the pangs of love,

Or is there any ransom for the lover's anguish?

وما لِدَمعي يعودُ نَاراً

من شدّة الشّوْق وهْوَ ماءُ

Why does my tear turn into fire,

From intense yearning though it's but water?

لا عَيْشَ للصَّبّ مُذَ تَرَاءتْ

لَهُ دُوَيْن الحِمى ظِباءُ

No life's left for one in love since

The two haboobs of fever blew,

صادت فُؤادي وما ارْتمته

مِنها قَنَاة لها رُواءُ

It has saddened my heart, and no canal from it

Brought it any solace or drink,

كَأنَّها إذْ مَشَتْ قَطَاةٌ

كأنّها إذْ بَدَتْ ذُكَاءُ

As if when she walks, she's but a gazelle calf,

And when she appears, she's a shining full moon,

يقولُ قَوْم تَعَزّ عَنْهَا

كَيْفَ وقد عَزّني العَزاءُ

Some folks too proud to seek her say,

How could that be, when sorrow has given me pride?

فَلم تَحِد عن حُبّها فأسلو

وليس لي في الهوَى ادّعاءُ

I did not refrain from loving her, so question me,

And in love I have no pretensions,

وَهَبْتُ للغانِيات ذَحْلِي

فَلْيَصْنَع الحُبُّ مَا يشاءُ

I left my wealth to the singing damsels,

Let love do what it will.