1. قسمك عليك الدهر نصفاً تعتبا

    لفعلك في الماضي ونصفاً ترقبا

    Time has divided you against yourself: half in reproach

    for what you did in the past, and half in anticipation.

  2. إذا استيقنت نفسي بأن لست عاذراً

    لي الظن والإشفاق ألا تريبا

    When my soul became certain that you would not excuse

    my suspicion and anxious concern that you should give no cause for doubt,

  3. فقد والذي لو شاء غلب واحداً

    فروح قلباً آمناً متهيبا

    then indeed—by Him who, had He willed, would have made one prevail

    and so soothed a heart both secure and fearful—

  4. شككت فلا أدري لفرط مودتي

    يبريك أم ظني يرينيك مذنبا

    I have doubted; in my great affection, I cannot tell:

    Does it acquit you, or does my suspicion make you seem guilty to me?

  5. ولو كان قصدي منك وصلاً أناله

    لقد كنت لي أندى جناباً وأخصبا

    And had my aim been to attain union with you,

    you would indeed have been to me a dewier, more fertile haven.

  6. لو أدنو لأقللت العتاب ولم أزد

    على أن تراني في امتداحك مطنبا

    Were I to draw near, I would lessen my reproach and do no more

    than have you see me lavish in praising you.

  7. ولكن بي ظناً أبى أن يقيمني

    لديك بما لا أرتضيه مصوبا

    But within me is a suspicion that has refused to place me

    before you, endorsing what I do not accept.