لَقَد أَرسَلَت حُوَّلاً قُلَّباً

يُرى جافِياً وَهوَ خَبٌّ لَطيفُ

You sent a fickle courier

Who seems cold yet is gentle and kind

إِلَينا عِشاءً بِأَن قِف لَنا

نُسَلِّم فَإِنَّ وُقوفاً طَفيفُ

To invite us for dinner, saying stop by

For even a brief visit would be pleasant

فَقُلتُ لَها البَيتُ أَخلى لَنا

فَإِنَّ مُقامَ الفِجاجِ الحُتوفُ

So I said to her the house is empty for us

For staying at desolate ruins is depressing

فَقالَت صَدَقتَ وَلَكِنَّني

أَخافُ العُداةَ وَمَشيٌ قُطوفُ

She said you're right but I

Fear the enemies and walking is difficult