تَذَكَرَ وَصلَها فبكى وهاما

وكاد بذكرِها يقضي هياما

He recalled their union, so he wept, lovesick,

And from remembering her, nearly died of lovesickness.

وَزادَ فؤاده الذاكي ضراما

وَعَنْ عينيه قَدْ ذادَ المناما

His saddened heart was further hurt by her memory,

And sleep was banished from his eyes.

نواحُ حمامةٍ تدعو حماما

حمامةُ رددي نَوْحَ الحزينِ

The cooing of a dove calling to her mate -

"Return, O dove, return my mournful song,

لعلّك في نواحِكِ تسعديني

فقالتْ وهي تأخذ عن حنيني

Perhaps in your mournful song you may bring me joy."

So she replied, taking away my longing:

وقد زادتْ بما قالتْ شجوني

أيسعدُ مستهامٌ مستهاما

"With what she said, she increased my agony.

Can a desperately lovesick one bring joy to a desperately lovesick one?

معذِّبتي لعينيك البقاءُ

فلمّا يبق لي إلاّ ذماءُ

My tormentor, my eyes are destined to live without you,

So nothing remains for me but disgrace,

فحتَّامَ التجنّي والجفاءُ

أَما للوعدِ عندكمُ وفاءُ

Estrangement and rejection dominate me.

Is there no loyalty to promises among you?

فجودي بالوصال ولم لماما

Be kind, and unite me with my love, and do not refuse."