1. They deceived her by praising her beauty
Her hair is the night and her forehead is radiance

2. That flattery seduced her so she became conceited
And flattery seduces young women

3. She didn't forget my name when
They attributed her flawlessness to me

4. She didn't forget my name for any reason
But many names multiplied in her passion

5. If she saw me, she would turn her eyes away as if
Loyalty had never attracted her to me before

6. As if I had never visited her and as if
There had been nothing between us

7. A glance, then a smile, then a greeting
From afar conveying hope

8. Drawing near, then stopping, then embracing
Then talking, scheduling a meeting, then seeing each other

9. The days when we were—but do not ask how we were—
Meeting while life was comfortable and serene

10. Meeting, and when we would meet
We would whisper about passion whatever we wished

11. And over us was a guardian of chastity
Beyond him were the vigilant overseers

12. The passions practiced with us until
They grew tired of corresponding with passions

13. My disobedience pulled at my clothes and said
Weeping, but does weeping avail anything?

14. How can you be content with deception when you
Are the people, O poets?

15. So fear Allah in deceiving the chaste maidens
For it is a sin that shakes the heavens

16. Do not instill illusion in them
For the hearts of maidens are fickle