1. ما اعتاض واهب نفسه عِشِّيقه

    عوضا ولو ملك الهوى أطواقه

    He who gives himself to his beloved receives no

    Recompense, even if passion has taken hold of his collars.

  2. يعطي المحبّ عشيقه آماله

    وييحه من حبّه أخلاقه

    The lover grants his beloved his wishes,

    And [offers] him his virtues out of love.

  3. ويصير عبدا في يديه وخادما

    ويصونه ويزيده إشفاقه

    And becomes a slave in his hands, and a servant,

    And protects him and gives him ever more tender care.

  4. يغذوه أطيب مأكل ويذيقه

    ما يستلذّ مساغه ومذاقه

    He feeds him the choicest food and lets him taste

    What is delightful to swallow and to savor.

  5. ويشمّه عودا ومسكا فاخراً

    ويجيد بالكافور منه فياقه

    And lets him smell aloeswood and exquisite musk,

    And perfects its [perfume blend] with camphor.

  6. ويهينه المعشوق بين دلاله

    متمنّعا وينيله استحقاقه

    And the beloved humiliates him amid his coquetry,

    Holding himself aloof, and granting him his due.

  7. فإذا حباه أجل ما في ملكه

    وأثابه بفعاله إرفاقه

    Then, when he bestows on him the most precious thing he owns,

    And rewards him for his deeds with his kindness,

  8. أعطاه أسفلهُ وقال له كذا

    يحزى منيل عدوّه أعلاقه

    He gives him his backside and says to him: “Thus

    Is [repaid] one who gives his enemy his treasures.”