1. A beautiful gazelle appeared in the meadow, swaying
She stretched like a stick when it is bent

2. And her mouth flashed, revealing whiteness
And her hair cascaded, revealing blackness

3. She shook spears from her delicate limbs
And clubs from her eyelids

4. So I said to my companion, "Aim for her!" and he called out
"I see the gazelle too proud to be hunted."

5. So I said to him, "See how she curves?"
And he said, "I think she is scattering pearls."

6. So I said, "What of the arrows of her glances?"
And he said, "When she sings, she pierces hearts."

7. So I said, "The darling has turned hostile."
And he said, "I seek refuge for her from enmity."

8. So I said, "Leave her be and let us sing."
I intended something else, but my heart refused.

9. If she arrives before I greet the encampment,
I will ride to her vanguard on a steed.

10. Leave off your compositions and prompt me.
You will find me Zuhair or Ziyad.

11. When the clouds draw water but do not rumble,
Nur al-Din, if asked, is generous.

12. And Nur al-Din, even if not called, would race
And if not given more, by God, would still excel.