1. ما لسلمى يا ميُّ طالت نواها

    لا نراها ولا نرى من يراها

    What is wrong with Salma, O Mayy? Her absence has grown long.

    We do not see her, nor do we see anyone who sees her.

  2. مر شهر ولم تزرنا وكانت

    كل يوم تغشى ولا نغشاها

    A month has passed, and she has not visited us, though she used to

    visit every day, while we did not visit her.

  3. هل سعى بيننا السُعاة فمالوا

    برضاها عنا ونالوا رضاها

    Have the tale-bearers carried tales between us, turning

    her favor away from us and winning her favor?

  4. أم دهاها داهٍ ولم تسألي يا

    ميُّ عنها لتعلمي ما دهاها

    Or has some misfortune befallen her, and you have not asked, O

    Mayy, about her, to learn what has befallen her?