رَمَت كَبدي أُختَ السماكِ فَأَقصَدَت

رَمَت كَبدي أُختَ السماكِ فَأَقصَدَت

أَلا بِأَبي رامٍ يُصيبُ وَلا يُخطي

أَلا بِأَبي رامٍ يُصيبُ وَلا يُخطي

The sister of al-Simāk shot at my liver and dealt a mortal blow.

My sister with an aim true as falcon's struck

Ah, may my father be ransom for an archer who hits the mark and never misses!

By our father whose throw finds its mark, never misses

قَريبَةُ ما بَينَ الخَلاخِل إِن مَشَت

قَريبَةُ ما بَينَ الخَلاخِل إِن مَشَت

بَعيدَة ما بَينَ القِلادَةِ وَالقرطِ

بَعيدَة ما بَينَ القِلادَةِ وَالقرطِ

The span between her anklets is short when she walks;

Dear to me as the anklet round the slim ankle

The span between her necklace and earring is long.

Far from me as necklace from ear on fair mistress

نَعِمت بِها حَتّى أُتيحَت لَنا النَوى

نَعِمت بِها حَتّى أُتيحَت لَنا النَوى

كَذا شيمَ الأَيّامُ تَأخُذُ ما تُعطي

كَذا شيمَ الأَيّامُ تَأخُذُ ما تُعطي

I was happy with her until separation was allotted to us.

While stars' bounty poured on us joy past all measure

Such are the ways of the days: they take what they give.

So days' rhythm deals loss and gain without ceasing