قَالُوا أَلا تَصِفُ الْغَرَامَ لَنَا

حَتَّى يُحِيطَ بِنَعْتِهِ الْفَهْمُ

They said, "Will you not describe love to us

So that understanding may encompass its essence?"

فَأَجَبْتُهُمْ هَيْهَاتَ أَنْعَتُ مَا

يَعْتَلُّ دُونَ صِفَاتِهِ الْوَهْمُ

I replied, "Alas! How can I describe what

Transcends all attributes, bewildering reason?"

الْحُبُّ يَنْفُذُ بِالْفُؤَادِ كَمَا

يَمْضِي عَلَى غُلَوَائِهِ السَّهْمُ

Love pierces the heart as an arrow glides

Along its destined path without resistance.

يَعْنُو لِسَوْرَتِهِ الْمَلِيكُ وَلا

يَقْوَى عَلَى صَدَمَاتِهِ الشَّهْمُ

The angelic spirit yearns for its mystery

While worldly wisdom falters in its presence.