خِصرُ الحَبيبِ بِلُطفٍ قالَ مُعتذراً

خِصرُ الحَبيبِ بِلُطفٍ قالَ مُعتذراً

لِرِدفِهِ إِنّه مِنهُ لَهُ ثقلُ

لِرِدفِهِ إِنّه مِنهُ لَهُ ثقلُ

The beloved’s waist spoke gently, apologizing

The beloved's waist gently complained

To his rump: “I am a burden to you.”

Of its burden, saying it was too heavy to bear

فَالرّدفُ قالَ لَهُ ما مِنكَ لي ثِقلٌ

فَالرّدفُ قالَ لَهُ ما مِنكَ لي ثِقلٌ

أَكانَ مِن نَملَةٍ يستَثقلُ الجبلُ

أَكانَ مِن نَملَةٍ يستَثقلُ الجبلُ

So the rump replied: “You are no burden to me;

The burden replied, saying “I am not heavy for you

Has a mountain ever found an ant too heavy?”

Could an ant find a mountain too heavy to carry?”