ولما صار ود الناس ختلاً

ولما صار ود الناس ختلاً

وأوحش ربعهم من بعد أنس

وأوحش ربعهم من بعد أنس

And when people's affection turned to deceit,

When people's affection turned to nothing,

And their abode grew desolate after companionship,

And their community grew lonely after its intimacy,

ولم أظفر على جهدي بحُرّ

ولم أظفر على جهدي بحُرّ

تركت هواهمُ وصحبتُ نفسي

تركت هواهمُ وصحبتُ نفسي

And despite my efforts I found no noble man,

When my efforts yielded no free person,

I abandoned my love for them and kept company with myself.

I abandoned their passions and kept my own company.