أنفقت كنز مدائحي في ثغره

أنفقت كنز مدائحي في ثغره

وجمعت فيه كل معنى شارد

وجمعت فيه كل معنى شارد

I spent the treasure of my praises on his mouth,

I spent my treasure of praises on his mouth

And gathered in it every elusive meaning.

And gathered in it every fleeting meaning

وطلبتُ منه جزاء ذلك قبلةً

وطلبتُ منه جزاء ذلك قبلةً

فأبى وراح تغزلي في البارد

فأبى وراح تغزلي في البارد

And asked him for a kiss as a reward for that;

And I asked him for reward a kiss

But he refused, and my love poetry went to waste.

But he refused and my weaving went in vain