أشكوI complain إلىto البدرthe full moon لياليnights الجفاestrangement
أشكو إلى البدر ليالي الجفا
وليسand it does not يدريknow ماwhat بمضناكails your lovesick one
وليس يدري ما بمضناك
I complain to the full moon of nights of estrangement,
I complain to the full moon of nights of separation
and it does not know what ails your lovesick one.
Yet he knows not of the pain we bear
فهوfor it is سميريmy companion by night أتسلىI find solace بهin it
فهو سميري أتسلى به
وإنماand only البدرthe full moon محياكِyour face
وإنما البدر محياكِ
For it is my companion by night; I find solace in it,
For he is my confidant, my solace
and the full moon is none other than your face.
While the moon is but your life, your face