1. She darted with threads of light like the radiance of dawn,
And blossomed with the secrets of dew like the lip of a flower,

2. And strode with the breaths of gazelles a breeze
scented with the trailing hem of night.

3. So arise, let us seize the choice hours of morn,
For it is a morrow of spring whose flower is smiling with lips.

4. You see between the earth's plain and the sky a relation
resembling what is between clouds and rain.

5. So in the sky are two rains flowing
and in the earth floods racing between valleys.

6. Two white clouds this travels on its horizon,
and this one travels in the sky's meadow.

7. And the branches wavered between the hand of the morning breeze
As a bird fluttered with green wings.

8. As if the dew above the anemone were tears
roaming on a cheek or campion above ashes.

9. When a golden glint from the sun flirts with it,
it rises like sparks on embers.

10. So in every pasture there is an instant of bedazzlement,
and on every course a step of increasing fortune.

11. Meadows which the flower has made overflowing until they appear
like a sky dotting the eye with floral stars.

12. As if the cups of light and dawdling were frozen smiles
of shells smiling with pearls.

13. While the dawn in its mother's caress calls out to me
with the cooing of doves mating in the nest.

14. They passionately responded and made hearts joyous
as though they learnt the songs of maidens from my poetry.

15. And the loveliest that did not know
continues to dispel the dreams of slumber without knowing.

16. It imagined in a shrewd promenade from which hung lanterns,
abundant with curtains.

17. It has a bump which appears on it as though it were
a crowned sovereign watching with disdain.

18. So hurry to answer the call of the morning with the dew
to pluck with the hands of playfulness the first fruits of life.

19. For the north wind has blown and awakened
the eyes of narcissi while still at the hour of dawn.

20. And the caller called to prayer with charm
reviving the land after prostration to standing.

21. So take the initiative to the tryst of prayers and come with me
to Al-Qasr between the island and the Nile.

22. When we fulfil the obligation of religion in full,
no blame shall remain for frolic.

23. Lo many days were the date of youthfulness
which passed without a vestige in thoughts or memories.

24. In which I disobeyed the rule of my forbearance,
leading me to frivolity, the devil of rakishness and drunkenness,

25. Next to a garden the branches of which list to the rhythm
of the singing, shrugging their mantles in dance.

26. Statues revolve around us with goblets between them;
only they pour between us.

27. You can see each beauty swaying from drunkenness and youth,
slender, erect breasted.

28. If she goes out to relieve herself you remain confounded
feeling like a hunter startled from panic.

29. The drunkenness of rakishness and youth has twisted her posture
so she leans to one side and stands firm on the other.

30. And the whispers of her charms have taught her divination so,
if she speaks, she says something of magic.

31. She felt the saltiness that was in herself
so she flirted with us while her saltiness fires one to sin.

32. She was struck by my passion for her so grew arrogant toward me
coquettishly while dismissing commands from me.

33. A girl in whose glances roams magic, walks the realm of perdition
in her disheveled and torn gown.

34. When she looks or turns to or sways her tresses,
woe to the infatuation of the sand, branch and moon.

35. They continued to tempt our minds until we fell
helpless into their hands and bosoms.

36. So from one disoriented with wine and another mindless one
whose body holds no soul other than drink,

37. to one laid unconscious who thinks stars down upon him
and cups his palms to the rising of Venus.

38. When you call upon a man, with your glance turn him
to you while confusion overwhelms him from making noise.

39. Distant from the caller though present
as if some reverence in him makes him dignified.

40. The grey hair took control of them and altered
the features of what the adamant brings with frivolity.

41. So forgiveness and blessings of God be upon the wine-bred youth!
And may the paths of rain renew its time.

42. I had my will and came of age
so now I am dreaded for my zeal and pride.

43. When they see me in the valley they shrink away
from talking and do not acknowledge me.

44. And say a lad corrupted by the intoxication of youth,
and no blame lies on boys for fun.

45. They fear that my zeal may flare up
so want to flatter me with deception and fraud.

46. Would that those nights have passed
and would return and that life would come back to what it was.

47. Seasons of joy already finished while still
its vestiges stir the heart in remembrance.

48. If her memory of the soul strikes her
she envisions for it a figure strutting in the plaza of thought.

49. For that was an age which has passed on its course
leaving me shepherding the stars in bereavement.

50. By your life no joy in time tastes sweeter
than frolicking in the shadow of youth and affluence.