1. Not a drop was she, but a patient gathering cloud
Upon the back of Saffwan, shaken by the breeze,
١. فَما نُطفَةٌ كَانَت صَبِيَر غَمامَةٍ
عَلى مَتنِ صَفوانٍ تُزَعزِعُهُ الصَبا
2. Upon a stretch of crystal water she came carried
By one athirst who thought to gain and profit.
٢. عَلى مَجَّةٍ من صَفوِ أَريٍ أَتى بِها
حَرِيصٌ يَرى في الحَقِّ أَن يَتَكَسَّبا
3. With sweeter than her salt and nothing of her taste
When the star inclines his ear low to the fading west.
٣. بأَطيبَ مِن فيها وَلا طَعمَ ريقِها
إِذَا النَجمُ أَصغى للمَغِيبِ وَصَوَّبا