وذاتِ دلالٍ لا يزالُ مُسَلَّطاً

لها خُلُقٌ وَعرٌ على خُلُقْي السّهْلِ

With an allure ever so potent and bright

Yet of nature and instinct contrary to mine

لَها بِقَضيبِ البانِ نَهْضٌ يَزِينُها

مُعينٌ ونهضٌ خاذلٌ بِنَقا الرَّملِ

With her staff of bamboo, she stands tall and erect

Sturdy and upright, not bent by the sand dunes

إِذا ما تَمادَتْ في الصُّدودِ وَلَم تملْ

إِلى الوَصلِ إِشفاقاً تَماديتُ في الوصلِ

When she lingers and halts, not inclined to unite

I persist in my love, seeking to reunite

وَقُلتُ لَعَلَّ الهجرَ يُعْقِبُ عَطْفَةً

فيا رُبّ خصبٍ جاء في عَقِبِ المحلِ

Perhaps, I hoped, her disdain would give way

To affection, as joy may follow ordeals

أَمَن حَرَّمتْ نَومي وَمَن سَفَكَتْ دَمي

وَمَن صَرَمَتْ حبلي ومن حَلَّلَت قتلي

Who was it that robbed me of peaceful sleep?

That spilled my blood and severed my bond?

بِمُقلَتِكِ النَّجلاءِ عَمداً قَتَلتِني

ولا قَوَدٌ في القتل بالأعيُنِ النجلِ

With your alluring eyes you murdered me

No justice or method in killing with eyes