أَأُسلَبُ مِن وِصالِكِ ما كُسيتُ

أَأُسلَبُ مِن وِصالِكِ ما كُسيتُ

وَأُعزَلُ عَن رِضاكِ وَقَد وَليتُ

وَأُعزَلُ عَن رِضاكِ وَقَد وَليتُ

Am I to be stripped of the union with you in which I was clad,

Shall I be deprived of your affection, though clothed with it,

and dismissed from your favor, though I had assumed office?

And removed from your good pleasure, though I sought it?

وَكَيفَ وَفي سَبيلِ هَواكِ طَوعاً

وَكَيفَ وَفي سَبيلِ هَواكِ طَوعاً

لَقيتُ مِنَ المَكارِهِ ما لَقيتُ

لَقيتُ مِنَ المَكارِهِ ما لَقيتُ

And how, when, for the sake of loving you, willingly

How could I, when by your love's path willingly

I have faced the hardships I have faced?

I met with all the suffering I have met?

أُسِرُّ عَلَيكِ عَتباً لَيسَ يَبقى

أُسِرُّ عَلَيكِ عَتباً لَيسَ يَبقى

وَأُضمِرُ فيكِ غَيظاً لا يَبيتُ

وَأُضمِرُ فيكِ غَيظاً لا يَبيتُ

I secretly harbor reproach against you that does not last,

I murmur no reproach that does not quickly fade,

and conceal anger toward you that does not last the night.

I nourish no resentment that does not sleep.

وَما رَدّي عَلى الواشينَ إِلّا

وَما رَدّي عَلى الواشينَ إِلّا

رَضيتُ بِجَورِ مالِكَتي رَضيتُ

رَضيتُ بِجَورِ مالِكَتي رَضيتُ

And my reply to the tale-bearers is nothing but:

And my only return against slanderers is:

I am content with my mistress’s tyranny; I am content.

I am content with my lady's tyranny, content.