1. صب صباباته شهود

    وقتله فيكم مباح

    A lovesick man—his longings bear witness;

    and killing him for your sake is lawful.

  2. مناه لو أسعف التمنى

    من كاسريه جير الجناح

    His wish, if wishing would come to his aid,

    is for those who broke him to mend his wing.

  3. قد فاق في وجده الوجودا

    ولج في لجة الغرام

    In his ardor he has surpassed all existence;

    he has plunged into the depths of passion.

  4. فصار في حبه فريداً

    وقام فيه أعلى مقام

    Thus he became peerless in his love

    and rose within it to the highest station.

  5. بنفسه جد أن يجودا

    فلا اعتراض ولا ملام

    He strove to give his very soul,

    so let there be neither objection nor blame.

  6. دعوه فالنوم لا يفيد

    ما أن على مغرم جناح

    Leave him be, for sleep does not help.

    There is no blame upon one stricken with love.

  7. جنانه بات فيه يجنى

    فنون افنان الافتضاح

    In his heart he spent the night gathering

    the varied boughs of disgrace.

  8. لا تبعدوني ففي البعاد

    والصد ما يصدع الفؤاد

    Do not drive me away, for in separation

    and rejection lies what cleaves the heart.

  9. بكم وحق الهوى أنادى

    إذ ليس لي غيركم مراد

    For you, by love's sanctity, I cry out,

    for I have no desire but you.

  10. ولهان أشكو بكل واد

    مضناكم بالبعاد باد

    Distraught with love, I lament in every valley.

    Your languishing lover has perished through separation.

  11. لو ساعدت بالمنى السعود

    ما كان لي عنكم براح

    Had good fortune helped fulfill my wishes,

    I would never have parted from you.

  12. لكن ما شئتمون منى

    هو المنى والاقتراح

    But whatever you wish of me

    is my desire and my request.

  13. أنفاس ريحانة ارتياحي

    نمت بما بي من الولوع

    The breaths of the sweet basil of my delight

    have betrayed the ardor within me.

  14. قد حان في حبك افتضاحي

    وخددت خدى الدموع

    The hour has come for my love of you to be laid bare,

    and tears have furrowed my cheek.

  15. فيا السكران فيك صاح

    أشواقه تلهب الضلوع

    Ah, the one drunk on you, yet sober!

    His longings set his ribs aflame.

  16. ولا وصول ولا ورود

    يعيد ليلى بكم صباح

    There is neither union nor arrival

    to turn my night, through you, to morning.

  17. يا صاح دعنى وخل عنى

    فلست أصغى لقول لاح

    O friend, leave me and let me be,

    for I heed no reprover's words.

  18. يا حسرتا قد مضى وولى

    عمرى وما منكم نصيب

    Alas! It has passed and gone—

    my life, with no share of you.

  19. أورثني الهجر منك خبلاً

    فصرت أدعى ولا أجيب

    Estrangement from you has bequeathed me madness,

    so I am called, but do not answer.

  20. أهلا بذاك السقام أهلا

    إذ أنت يا ممرضى الطبيب

    Welcome to that sickness, welcome,

    for you, O you who sicken me, are the physician.

  21. عودوا بطيب الوصال عودوا

    فلى على ذلك ارتياح

    Return with the sweetness of union, return,

    for in that I find delight.

  22. قرب منك يدنى

    من بات يضنيه الإنتزاح

    Closeness to you draws nearer

    one who spends the night worn down by distance.

  23. أنا بما ترتصيه راض

    إن كنت لي العون والرضى

    I am content with whatever you approve,

    if you are my help and my contentment.

  24. فإن تكن في الجمال قاض

    فالطف بما شئت في القضا

    And if you are a judge in beauty,

    then be gentle in whatever judgment you choose.

  25. وهب لراجيك كل ماض

    فلا يعاد الذي مضى

    And forgive all the past for the one who hopes in you,

    for what has passed cannot be brought back.

  26. يا صاح قد جددت عهود

    للوصل تفضى بالاصطباح

    O friend, pledges have been renewed

    for union, leading to the morning draught.

  27. فارشف كؤوس المنى وغن

    حي على الشرب يا ملاح

    So sip the cups of desire, and sing:

    'Come to drinking, O fair ones!'