كَتَبْتُ وَلَوْ أَنّي مِنَ الشَّوْقِ قَادِرٌ

كَتَبْتُ وَلَوْ أَنّي مِنَ الشَّوْقِ قَادِرٌ

لَسارَعْتُ فيهِ نَحْوَ مَنْ أَنا رِقُّهُ

لَسارَعْتُ فيهِ نَحْوَ مَنْ أَنا رِقُّهُ

I wrote; and were I able, despite my longing,

I wrote, and if I were able from longing

I would hasten therein toward the one whose slave I am.

I would have hastened in it toward the one I desire

وَلَوْ أَنّني أَسْعَى إلى ذَلِكَ الحِمَى

وَلَوْ أَنّني أَسْعَى إلى ذَلِكَ الحِمَى

على الرَّأْسِ ما أَدَّيْتُ ما تَسْتَحِقُّهُ

على الرَّأْسِ ما أَدَّيْتُ ما تَسْتَحِقُّهُ

And even if I made my way to that sanctuary

And if I were to strive toward that sanctuary

On my head, I would not render what you deserve.

By my head I would not give what it deserves