1. إِلى كَم خَطَبتُ مِنَ المَعالي

    فَكانَ وَلَيِّها مَعِيَ السَخاءُ

    How long have I wooed lofty honors,

    With generosity their guardian in my suit?

  2. فَإِن رُفَّت ثَنَيتُ الطَرفَ عَنها

    مَخافَةَ أَن يَتِمَّ لَها جِلاءُ

    And if they were adorned, I turned my gaze from them,

    For fear their unveiling might be completed,

  3. إِلى أَن تَحرِصَ العَزَماتُ مِنّي

    عَلى عُرسٍ يَكونُ كَما أَشاءُ

    Until the resolves within me grow eager

    For a wedding just as I wish.

  4. إِذا غَدَتِ الظُنونُ إِلَيهِ راحَت

    وَمِمّا حَصَّلَت مِنهُ العَطاءُ

    When expectations go to it at dawn, they return at dusk,

    With bounty among what they have gained from it.

  5. لِأَنّي لَم أَزَل مُذ كُنتُ مِمَّن

    يُزَلَّلُ مِن وَلائِمِهِ الرَجاءُ

    For since I came to be, I have always been among those

    From whose feasts hope is given food to take away.