كمhow many a صاحبfriend لوفدat the coming of رحولكyour departure تدورturns رحاهhis millstone
كم صاحب لوفد رحولك تدور رحاه
سوّاكhe made you مثلlike الطحينflour وعلكand chewed برحاهwith his molars
سوّاك مثل الطحين وعلك برحاه
Many a friend's millstone turns when you depart.
How many a companion, if he turned away from you, you would wander to find him
He made you like flour and chewed you with his molars.
None is like you, who is like flour, sticking with him through sickness and health
يبديhe shows المودةaffection ويخفيand hides بالحشىwithin the breast برحاهhis burning anguish
يبدي المودة ويخفي بالحشى برحاه
بالوجهto the face مثلlike المراهthe mirror وفيand at القفاthe back of the neck مسحاهa hoe
بالوجه مثل المراه وفي القفا مسحاه
He shows affection and hides his burning anguish within.
He shows affection yet hides malice in his inner self
To your face he is like a mirror, and behind your back, a hoe.
His face is like a mirror while his back is wiped clean