فَكَم صاحِبٍ مُذ بَدا سُخطُه

فَكَم صاحِبٍ مُذ بَدا سُخطُه

بَذَلتُ لَهُ خُلُقاً مُرتَضى

بَذَلتُ لَهُ خُلُقاً مُرتَضى

So many a friend, since his displeasure appeared,

How many a friend, when his anger first showed,

Have I treated with gracious manners,

I’ve welcomed with a nature he wished for;

مَخافَةَ أَن تَنقَضي بَينَنا

مَخافَةَ أَن تَنقَضي بَينَنا

عُهودُ المَوَدَّةِ أَو يَنقُضا

عُهودُ المَوَدَّةِ أَو يَنقُضا

Fearing that between us there might lapse

Fearing our bond of affection would break

The pledges of affection, or that he might break them.

Or our pledge of devotion would bid them adieu.

وَإِنّي وَإِن ساءَني فِعلُهُ

وَإِنّي وَإِن ساءَني فِعلُهُ

وَأَصبَحَ بَعدَ الوَفا مُعرِضا

وَأَصبَحَ بَعدَ الوَفا مُعرِضا

And I, though his conduct has hurt me

Though his deeds may have saddened and caused me pain,

And he has turned away after being faithful,

And from loyalty he turned and withdrew,

أُقابِلُهُ بِمُحَيّا القَبولِ

أُقابِلُهُ بِمُحَيّا القَبولِ

وَأَلحَظُهُ بِعُيونِ الرِضا

وَأَلحَظُهُ بِعُيونِ الرِضا

Meet him with a welcoming face

I’d meet him with a visage of grace,

And look upon him with eyes of approval.

And behold him with eyes of pleasure anew.