حَتَّى مَتَى أَجِدُ الأَمِيرَ مُجَّباً

حَتَّى مَتَى أَجِدُ الأَمِيرَ مُجَّباً

أَنَّى أَتَيْتُ وَتَارَةً هُوَ رَاكِبُ

أَنَّى أَتَيْتُ وَتَارَةً هُوَ رَاكِبُ

How long must I find the emir secluded,

How long shall I find the prince absent minded

Whenever I come, and at other times out riding?

Whenever I come, he is riding away

وَمِن العَجَائِبِ أَنَّهُ مَعْ عَدْ لِهِ

وَمِن العَجَائِبِ أَنَّهُ مَعْ عَدْ لِهِ

لي مِثلُ هذا العُذْرِ وُهْوَ العَاتِبُ

لي مِثلُ هذا العُذْرِ وُهْوَ العَاتِبُ

And among the marvels is that, despite his justice,

And of wonders, that even with his justice

I have this same excuse, yet he is the one who reproaches.

He rebukes me, though my excuse is the same