1. O Salma, you were like a garden whose bounty
Made greedy those who coveted it, a paradise whose place
١. يا سَلمَ كُنتِ كَجَنَّةٍ قَد أَطمَعَت
أَفنانُها دانٍ جَناها موضَعُ
2. Whose lords watched over it with care, their sleep
Disturbed by thoughts of its destruction, so they did not rest
٢. أَربابُها شَفَقاً عَلَيها نَومُهُم
تَحليلُ مَوضِعها وَلَمّا يَهجَعوا
3. Until, when spring had spread its guesses far,
Autumn scattered its fruits, and they crumbled into dust.
٣. حَتّى إِذا فَسَحَ الرَبيعُ ظُنونَهُم
نَثَرَ الخَريفُ ثِمارَها فَتَصَدَّعوا