1. Is that a smile, or is it lightning that flashed, or the full moon rising?
Is that light radiating across your brow, or the dawn's resplendent verse?

2. Are those the morning's luminous dawn condensed on your cheek,
Adorned with two necklaces of pearl drops that trickle down?

3. The lovely girl's cheek is adorned with pearls;
When she nods her head, the pearls lose their luster.

4. The elegance of her beauty is guarded by an arching brow
That shields her eyes from sight and thought alike.

5. The sword of that slender eyebrow daily calls out
To the doe-eyed girls between elegance and the bridge.

6. They ignorantly compared her breast to a pomegranate,
Though the difference is plain to those who know:

7. It is far too sublime for such a simile,
Too holy for plucking, squeezing, touching or tearing.

8. How could a pomegranate have ambergris domes
Rising above the mounds of her breasts against her chest?

9. Between them, the down has inscribed a verse
Like a line of ants marching along seeking water.

10. I stared at her and saw the down repeating
Like vegetation flourishing in a garden of flowers.

11. I looked back but knelt down, for I had recited
Verses of ease without any trouble.

12. The hand of the Highest has composed its letters
Thus it came as guidance, erasing the darkness of blasphemy.

13. We seek refuge in the Lord of creation from attempting to erase it,
For its relief has spread its hands for eternity.

14. Whence do gazelles have a smooth cheek
Bestowed by God - yes, but without blemish?

15. With swaying rumps and cascading tresses,
Their slender waists complain of the braids' length.

16. A beauty of sublime character who loves all
Related to her, her neighbors or her country.

17. I do not seek more than a glance
Of affection, by God, which is chaste passion:

18. The nights pass while our bed retains its purity,
No pillow between us except the full moon's orb.

19. How often I give her wine of verse to drink
And get drunk on her prose without any wine!

20. I devise new meanings when I look upon her
And am awakened from her glances' sleepy thought.

21. Stop for a while, O bashful branch girl,
And incline toward me, for passion resides in my breast.

22. Walk slowly, O passionate one, would that I were
The ground, just so her feet could raise my worth!

23. Gently, gently, so stay here with me, my queen,
Do not leave me until my life reaches its end.

24. Wrong me, spurn me, yes, even be disdainful,
Who doubts my words has diminished my worth.

25. I was patient when the beloved prince, our prince, was distant;
Such is patience – truly the matter is one of patience.

26. The morning breeze turns back from west to east,
So unleash my secret and spread it for him.

27. Say, my master, God forbid, though I looked around -
Yes, by God, my patience has betrayed me.

28. Show compassion, O my master, and bless me with return,
For I fear, if estrangement is prolonged, my faith may incline to blasphemy.