تَأَخَّرتَ عَنّي وَالغَرامُ غَريمُ

تَأَخَّرتَ عَنّي وَالغَرامُ غَريمُ

وَما ملَّ قربَ الأَكرَمين كَريمُ

وَما ملَّ قربَ الأَكرَمين كَريمُ

You have stayed away from me, and love is a creditor.

You were late for me, while lovesickness was a creditor,

And no noble man has tired of the company of the noblest.

The drawing near of the generous did not weary the generous.

وَأَوهَمتَني سَقماً وَأَنتَ مصحَّح

وَأَوهَمتَني سَقماً وَأَنتَ مصحَّح

بَلى لَكَ عَهدٌ كَيفَ شِئتَ سَقيمُ

بَلى لَكَ عَهدٌ كَيفَ شِئتَ سَقيمُ

And you led me to believe you were ill, though you are in sound health.

You made me believe I was ill, while you were healing,

Yes, your pledge is ailing, however you choose to regard it.

Yes, you made a promise - however you wished, infirm.

وَلَو شِئتَ لَم تَخلط وِصالاً بِهَجرةٍ

وَلَو شِئتَ لَم تَخلط وِصالاً بِهَجرةٍ

كَما شيبَ بِالماءِ الزلال حَميم

كَما شيبَ بِالماءِ الزلال حَميم

And had you wished, you would not have mixed union with estrangement,

Had you wished, you would not have mixed union with separation,

As hot water is mingled with clear, sweet water.

As pure water mixes with white, warm milk.

فَفي الدَهرِ كافٍ أَن يفرِّقَ اِنَّهُ

فَفي الدَهرِ كافٍ أَن يفرِّقَ اِنَّهُ

وَصيٌّ ظَلومٌ وَالكَريمُ يَتيمُ

وَصيٌّ ظَلومٌ وَالكَريمُ يَتيمُ

For Time suffices to part us; indeed, it is

In fate it suffices that it separates, verily it

An oppressive guardian, while the noble man is an orphan.

Is an unjust guardian, and the generous an orphan.