1. The image of my beloved came from afar
So we found solace instead of grief

2. She came down every valley willingly
As she rose up readily

3. And longing sighs played with her
Emboldening her against grave danger

4. Dweller of shaded houses, I see you
Casting your eyes into the hands of each owner

5. You left Sham without us
So my mark is the lightning flash from my plaited horsehair whip

6. I love you from afar and up close
And I recall our olden days

7. And I enviously imagine you with my eyes
So I have the perseverance of the enamored and jealous

8. And where is the white from the white nights
That I spent without gloom

9. And we were not but of one fair forehead
As we walked into temptation and passion

10. And in the forbidden neighborhood of many loves
Loves like unsheathed swords in scabbards

11. Beauties like the days we were close
Paired with days we were distant

12. Repelling glances with frowns
And submitting their necks to necklaces

13. They paved the way with their walk
And kissed with their cheeks

14. Had they not known such pride
They'd have veiled themselves in shyness

15. They turned away with every swaying bosom
And every floating rebel hair

16. Their reddened cheeks are the black of war
Firm in ugliness like black

17. Horsemen who reap the fruit of glory
With the hand of victory from leaves of steel

18. As though the hand of torrents
Adorned it with necklaces of scattered pearls

19. They adorned but adorned not with order
Having left it the scent of the Nile valley

20. Its musk is molded when
They trail their robes over it

21. They shine but shine not with a wrap
To make its pebbles into pearl necklaces

22. In describing you in a book
And with finer words than you in an ode