قالوا وقد مادت كغصن النقا

قالوا وقد مادت كغصن النقا

أسرفت في العشق بلا فائده

أسرفت في العشق بلا فائده

They said, as she swayed like a bough upon a sand dune,

They said, as she swayed like a supple branch,

"You have gone too far in love, to no avail."

"You have squandered yourself in fruitless love."

فقلت منهوم الهوى لم يكن

فقلت منهوم الهوى لم يكن

يشبع إن لذت له المائده

يشبع إن لذت له المائده

So I replied, "One ravenous for love is never

I replied, "One possessed by passion's thirst

sated if the feast tastes sweet to him."

Is never sated, though the feast be spread."