يا كرم الناس عهدا

واصدق الصحب ودا

O noblest of people in keeping faith,

And truest of companions in affection,

ما زادنا البعد إلا

شوقا إليكم ووجدا

Separation has increased in us only

Longing for you and passionate love.

لله أوقات أنس

من هزلها البعد جدا

God be praised for those hours of companionship,

Among whose jests was separation in earnest.

كانت من العمر عرسا

كانت من الحلي عقدا

They were a wedding in life's course;

They were a necklace among ornaments;

كانت من الحظ وعدا

كانت من الوعد نقدا

They were a promise from fortune;

They were a promise's payment in cash.

يا ربة اللطف إني

حالفت بعدك سهدا

O lady of gentleness, indeed I

Have made a pact with sleeplessness in your absence.

ملكت مني قلبا ليس يملكه

قد صد غيرك صدا

You have won a heart of mine that no other possesses;

It has utterly spurned all but you.

فليس يصبو لحسن

مذ راح يعشق هندا

So it yearns for no beauty

Since it began to love Hind.