نَظَرَت إِلَيَّ بِعَينِ مَن لَم يَعدِلِ

نَظَرَت إِلَيَّ بِعَينِ مَن لَم يَعدِلِ

لَمّا تَمَكَّنَ طَرفُها مِن مَقتَلي

لَمّا تَمَكَّنَ طَرفُها مِن مَقتَلي

She looked at me with the eye of one who dealt unjustly,

She looked at me with the eyes of one who is merciless

When her glance had gained mastery over my vulnerable spot.

When her gaze overpowered me and meant my demise

لَمّا أَضاءَت بِالمَشيبِ مَفارِقي

لَمّا أَضاءَت بِالمَشيبِ مَفارِقي

صَدَّت صُدودَ مُفارِقٍ مُتَحَمِّلِ

صَدَّت صُدودَ مُفارِقٍ مُتَحَمِّلِ

When the partings of my hair shone with gray,

When the grey hair illuminated our parting

She turned away like one taking leave and setting off.

She blocked all access, unforgiving, unrelenting

فَجَعَلتُ أَطلُبُ وَصلَها بِتَذَلُّلٍ

فَجَعَلتُ أَطلُبُ وَصلَها بِتَذَلُّلٍ

وَالشَيبُ يَغمِزُها بِأَلّا تَفعَلي

وَالشَيبُ يَغمِزُها بِأَلّا تَفعَلي

So I began seeking union with her in self-abasement,

So I sought her union with meek imploring

While gray hair winked at her: 'Do not do it.'

But the grey hair winked at her "do not do it"