فَرَّقَ الدَّهْرُ بَيْنَنَا بَعْدَ قُرْبٍ

فَبِأَضْعَافِ مَا تَفَضَّل أَذْنَبْ

Time has separated us after being close

So for manifold what you were gracious, I have sinned

لِيَ فِي مِصْرَ مَا أَشَاءُ مِنَ الْطَّيِّبِ

وَفِي بَعَلْبَكَ مَا هُوَ أَطْيَبْ

I have in Egypt whatever sweet thing I desire

And in Baalbek what is even sweeter

وَرْدُ هَذَا الوَادِي جَمِيلٌ وَلَكِنْ

كَيْفَ وَرْدُ الرُّبَى وَتَجْلُوهُ زَيْنَبْ

The roses of this valley are beautiful but

How are the roses of the meadow with Zainab adorning them