عافاكِ من حبي ومن أحوالهِ

وحماك ربك من رهيب خصاله

I wish you well, freed from my love and its turmoil,

And may your Lord protect you from its dreadful traits.

إني لأدعو الله دعوةَ عابد

متبتل يرجو كريم نواله

I pray to God with devotion, imploring

His generous gifts, hoping to appease His ire.

أن يمنعنّك عن هواي وعنفه

ويصون خطوك من شراك ضلاله

That He may prevent you from my passion and its violence,

And guard your steps from the pits of its misguidance.

فإذا وقعت ولا وقعت ترقبي

عمرَ السجين يضيع في أغلاله

So if you fall or do not fall, watch out,

A prisoner’s life is wasted in shackles.

إني أحذّر من ركوب عُبابه

وعنيف لُجَّته وقسوة حاله

I warn against boarding its turbulent ship

With its violent waves and harsh condition.

فإذا رمى وجه السفين بموجة

رعْناءَ أبلغها فصيح مقاله

For when its prow is struck by a billow,

Made eloquent by an articulate sailor,

والغوص بعض فنونه فتعلمي

فن السباحة قبل خوض مجاله

And its diving is one of its skills, know

Swimming before venturing in its sphere.

لا شيء غير العُمق في إبحاره

والموت كل الموت عند كماله

Nothing but depth is in its sailing,

And death, only death, at its acme.

فتبصري ما شئت قبل ركوبه

وتسلحي لجِلاده ونزاله

So observe before embarking,

And arm yourself for its scourge and fight.

أو فامكثي بالشط صنع محاذر

وجلٍ يهاب الموج في إقباله

Or stay on shore, avoiding risks,

Fearing the waves in their onslaught.

فلربما عادت مراكب عشقه

يومًا إليك تروم نفي ملاله

For its ships of passion may one day

Return to you, seeking to forget their ennui.