أهْوَى تَباعُدَه والفكرُ يُدْنِيهِ

أهْوَى تَباعُدَه والفكرُ يُدْنِيهِ

ضِدَّانِ ما جُمِعا إلاَّ لِتَمْويهِ

ضِدَّانِ ما جُمِعا إلاَّ لِتَمْويهِ

I desire his distance, while thought draws him near.

I yearn for his distance, yet my thoughts draw him near

Two opposites, united only for deception.

Opposites, brought together only for deception

فما تُقرِّبُه منِّي مَحاسِنُه

فما تُقرِّبُه منِّي مَحاسِنُه

ولا تُبَعِّدُه عنِّي مَساوِيهِ

ولا تُبَعِّدُه عنِّي مَساوِيهِ

So his merits do not bring him closer to me,

His virtues bring him no closer to me

nor do his faults drive him away from me.

Nor do his flaws push him further away