ولم أطرب إلى عذراء رودٍ

بها عن وصل عاشقها نفارُ

I was never enchanted by a fair rose-cheeked maid,

Who forsakes her lover's company in disdain,

ولا غرثى الوشاح كأن ورد ال

حياء بوجنتيها الجلنار

Nor did I lament the cheek-veil as though it were a rose

Whose bashfulness is concealed by its petalled garment.

بنفسي كل مهضوم حشاها

إذا ظلمت فليس لها انتصارُ

I take to myself every downtrodden soul

Who has suffered injustice and has no defender.

ولكني طربت إلى خليلٍ

سمحت ببذله ولي الخيار

But I was enchanted by a bosom friend

Who generously offered himself though I had the choice.

فلما أن مضى في حفظ من لا

يضيعه وشط به المزارُ

When he passed on into the care of Him who never

Lets one perish, and sailed to his final rest,

ندمت ندامة الكسعي لما

غدت منه مطلقةً نوارُ

I regretted with the regret of one who sells his horse

When it has grown old and useless.

فعيني ما تجف لها دموعٌ

وقلبي ما يقر له قرار

So my eyes will never dry of tears for him

And my heart will know no rest.