1. ملكتُ من أصبحَ لي مالكاً

    لكنّهُ في ملكِهِ ظالمُ

    I possessed the one who became my master.

    But he is unjust in his rule.

  2. لو شئتُ لاستاقَتْهُ لي قُدرةٌ

    لكنَّ حكمَ الحُبِّ لي لازمُ

    Had I wished, power would have driven him to me.

    But love’s rule is binding on me.

  3. أحببتُهُ من بينِ هذا الورى

    وَهْوَ بحبّي خَبِرٌ عالِمُ

    Among all these people, I loved him.

    And he is well acquainted with my love, fully aware of it.

  4. قَبيحُ فِعلٍ حَسَنٌ وجهُهُ

    يُعذَر في أمثالِهِ اللائمُ

    His conduct is ugly; his face is beautiful.

    The reproacher is excused where his like is concerned.

  5. أحسنُ مَن أَبصَرَهُ مُبصرٌ

    لو أنّه في حُسنِهِ راحمُ

    The fairest person a beholder has seen—

    If only he were merciful in his beauty!