1. ارحمُ بي منك وهو ذيب

    حبيبك الموت يا حبيب

    More merciful to me than you, though he is a wolf,

    is your beloved, Death, O beloved.

  2. رثى لحالي ورق حتى

    تسأل وصلاً فلا يجيب

    He pitied my plight and grew tender, so much so that

    you ask for union, but he does not answer.

  3. رأى شقائي فريع وهو

    المريع والحاصد الرهيب

    He saw my misery and was frightened, though he is

    the one who terrifies, and the fearsome reaper.

  4. من منكما أبر عهداً

    ومن هو المشفق الحدوب

    Which of you two is more faithful to a pledge?

    And who is the compassionate, tenderhearted one?

  5. إذا بدا قاطباً جبيناً

    يروع غيري به القطوب

    When he appears with a furrowed brow,

    the grim-faced one frightens others with it.

  6. له علي الوفاء عمري

    يصيبني منه ما يصيب

    I owe him faithfulness all my life,

    whatever may befall me at his hands.

  7. ومنجل لم تبح ورودي

    لمنجل ماؤها رطيب

    And a sickle—my roses have not been surrendered

    to a sickle; their sap is fresh.

  8. فيا حبيبي فدتك روحي

    دع ما يجافي وما يريب

    So, O my beloved, may my soul ransom you;

    leave what estranges and what arouses doubt.

  9. أنا المعنى وأنت شغلي

    لا اتسلى ولا أتوب

    I am the tormented one, and you are my preoccupation;

    I find no solace, nor do I repent.

  10. أنت ذنوبي كل ذنوبي

    تباركت كلها الذنوب

    You are my sins, all my sins;

    blessed are they, all those sins.

  11. إني إذا بعدت عني

    شيء كئيب هنا غريب

    Indeed, when you are far from me, I am

    a forlorn thing here, a stranger.

  12. لا النور يهدي وأنت ماء

    لا يغني ولا يؤوب

    Light gives no guidance, and you are water

    that neither avails nor returns.

  13. ولا الرياحين مغريات

    ولا المغاني ولا الطيوب

    Nor are the fragrant plants enticing,

    nor the dwellings, nor the perfumes.

  14. وكل ليل نجي هم

    تذوب نفسي ولا يذوب

    And every night is sorrow's confidant;

    my soul melts, but it does not melt.