1. She came to me unbidden from the most exalted abode,
A doe-eyed darling combining beauty and more beauty still.

2. I spread out for her the egg-shell fineries of palaces,
Yet she was pleased with only my black-heartedness for habitation.

3. Delicate of meaning, she made me her delicate one
For what she displayed of the softness of phrase and significance.

4. She drew near and clusters of her ripening fruits
Inclined onto me until she was but two bow-lengths away or less.

5. She came to us, braving the ocean depths,
Yet from the sea she met only grief with us

6. And missed the waters of the Nile seeking barren ground
Which would turn away the echo from that woeful spring.

7. Languorous are the clear waters of Future’s white robe if
Qais had seen her beauty he would have turned away from Layla.

8. She was clad in robes of whiteness and sealed
With carnelian thereby hinting at the refinement in her nature.

9. A kinswoman of folk whom an intelligent, noble one has married today,
One who stirs the heart, the eye and the ear to passion.

10. She came to visit me from afar, restoring me
Though she knew that seeing her would pain me.

11. Noble in his description of her, how can I describe him
As he described her? I am incapable yet the eye of love

12. Can imagine beauty. We found him perfectly faithful—
Our hopes were not set on ghouls or the Elephant.

13. His affection lasts beyond the length of ages
And grows like plants in a delightful garden.

14. He is cultured, intelligent, a poet and prose stylist whose
Jeweled verses buildings are constructed upon.

15. The charm of his meaning is subtler than the morning breeze
And more pleasurable than the voice of one singing gaily.

16. Good fortune grasped his right and left hands so
The left became fortunate and the right successful.

17. He is the Ummari, pure of lineage whom
Has enjoyed kindnesses from He who bestows favors.

18. I guaranteed to keep safe the bonds of affection willingly
And entrusted that heart into his hands in surety.