1. يا من تملّك في هواهُ بحسنه

    وبغى وجرّد للقتال بواتر

    O you who, through your beauty, have become sovereign in the love you inspire,

    And have tyrannized and unsheathed keen-edged swords for battle.

  2. ينهى ويأمر في هواهُ بما يشا

    لا مانعٌ لأجلّ ما هو آمر

    He forbids and commands in the love he inspires, as he wishes;

    There is no hindrance to the greatest of his commands.

  3. فكأنّما هو في زواجر أمره

    ملكٌ على دست الخلافة قاهر

    Thus it is as though, in the stern prohibitions of his command,

    He were a mighty king upon the throne of the caliphate.

  4. ارحم صدي كبد أضرّ بها الأسى

    من طيب مورد فيك إذ هو عاطر

    Have mercy on the thirst of a liver afflicted by sorrow,

    With the sweetness of your mouth’s wellspring, for it is fragrant.

  5. والله إنّي في هواك موحّد

    بالحسن ما أنا مشركٌ أو كافر

    By God, in loving you I am a monotheist,

    In beauty: I am neither a polytheist nor an unbeliever.