قَالُوا أَلا تَصِفُ الْغَرَامَ لَنَا

قَالُوا أَلا تَصِفُ الْغَرَامَ لَنَا

حَتَّى يُحِيطَ بِنَعْتِهِ الْفَهْمُ

حَتَّى يُحِيطَ بِنَعْتِهِ الْفَهْمُ

They said, “Will you not describe passionate love to us,

They said, "Will you not describe love to us

so the mind may fully grasp its description?”

So that understanding may encompass its essence?"

فَأَجَبْتُهُمْ هَيْهَاتَ أَنْعَتُ مَا

فَأَجَبْتُهُمْ هَيْهَاتَ أَنْعَتُ مَا

يَعْتَلُّ دُونَ صِفَاتِهِ الْوَهْمُ

يَعْتَلُّ دُونَ صِفَاتِهِ الْوَهْمُ

So I answered them, “I cannot possibly describe what

I replied, "Alas! How can I describe what

even imagination falls short of portraying.

Transcends all attributes, bewildering reason?"

الْحُبُّ يَنْفُذُ بِالْفُؤَادِ كَمَا

الْحُبُّ يَنْفُذُ بِالْفُؤَادِ كَمَا

يَمْضِي عَلَى غُلَوَائِهِ السَّهْمُ

يَمْضِي عَلَى غُلَوَائِهِ السَّهْمُ

Love pierces the heart, just as

Love pierces the heart as an arrow glides

an arrow speeds along its headlong course.

Along its destined path without resistance.

يَعْنُو لِسَوْرَتِهِ الْمَلِيكُ وَلا

يَعْنُو لِسَوْرَتِهِ الْمَلِيكُ وَلا

يَقْوَى عَلَى صَدَمَاتِهِ الشَّهْمُ

يَقْوَى عَلَى صَدَمَاتِهِ الشَّهْمُ

The king bows to its fury, nor

The angelic spirit yearns for its mystery

can the valiant withstand its blows.”

While worldly wisdom falters in its presence.