وَما في الأَرضِ أشقى من مُحِب

وَإن وُجد الهَوى حلو المَذاق

Nothing on earth is more wretched than a lover,

Even if passionate love tastes sweet.

تَراهُ باكِياً أَبَداً حَزينا

مَخافَةَ فرقه أَو لاِشتِياق

You’ll always see him crying, ever mournful,

Fearing separation or longing again to meet.

فَيَبكي إِن نَأوا شَوقاً إِلَيهِم

وَيَبكي إِن دَنوا خَوف الفُراق

He weeps when parted, pining for their nearness;

He weeps when joined, fearing loss of their love’s heat.

فَتَسخن عَينه عِند التَنائي

وَتَسخُن عَينُه عِندَ التَلاقي

His eyes weep when they leave and when they greet each other,

Both in their parting and when again they meet.