1. قمر هجرت الغمض ليلة وصله

    شوقا فكيف أكون ليلة هجره

    A moon—I forsook sleep on the night of union with him,

    out of longing; how, then, shall I be on the night he forsakes me?

  2. فحملت أثقل محملا من ردفه

    وفللت أصعب قوة من خصره

    So I bore a burden heavier than his haunches,

    and shattered a strength more unyielding than his waist.

  3. وأغار من زناره وصليبه

    إذ يحظيان بخصره وبنحره

    And I envy his girdle and his cross,

    for they are favored with his waist and his breast.

  4. ملك تولى الله شكر بلائه

    عندي فإني عاجز عن شكره

    A king—may God undertake to thank him for his kindness

    toward me, for I am incapable of thanking him,

  5. بكلاءة في ملكه وحراسة

    في دينه وزيادة في عمره

    through watchful care over his kingdom, protection

    of his faith, and lengthening of his life.

  6. يهب الكبير مقللا من شأنه

    كرما ومحتقرا جلالة قدره

    He gives a great gift, making little of its importance,

    out of generosity, and scorning its immense worth.

  7. ويظل يطويه نهاية طيه

    والسكر ينشره نهاية نشره

    And he keeps folding it away to the utmost,

    while drunkenness unfolds it to the utmost.