1. رَوَّعَكَ الشِّعرُ بِأَوْهَامِهِ

    وَالأَمْنُ كُلُّ الأَمْنِ مَا رَوَّعَكْ

    Poetry frightened you with its illusions,

    And safety—perfect safety—is what frightened you.

  2. يَا نَاظِمَ الدَّمْعِ بُكَاءً عَلَى

    شَبَابِهِ أَنِّي أَبْكِي مَعَكْ

    O weaver of tears in lament for

    His youth—I weep with you.

  3. لَكِنَّني أَرْجُو وَتَخْشَى فَمَا

    أَخْوَفَنِي حُبّاً وَمَا أَشْجَعَكْ

    But I hope, and you fear—so how

    Fearful I am in love, and how brave you are!

  4. لاَ حَرِمَ النَّاسُ البَيَانَ الَّذِي

    أَمْتَعَنَا مِنْكَ وَأَنْ صَدَّعَكْ

    May people never be deprived of the eloquence that

    Delighted us through you, even if it shattered you.