1. The sun of morning is hidden in the clouds,
Or is it a doll veiled in robes?

2. She inclined and came like a comet,
To you, apologizing for what she had done.

3. Longing is wont to visit her, but then prevents her
Fear of foes and hated envy.

4. Until when a breeze blew from the zephyr,
The scented airs awoke upon her.

5. Love her with occasional, fleeting visits,
If only she were not so cautious and wary.

6. She remains, asking after my state,
While she is aware of what I have endured.

7. I said to her, “It was destined, so forgive me,
How excellent is pardon from one able to punish.”

8. She said, “How long will you rebuke me
Without that which I have exposed and uncovered?”

9. Sin in love is mine, so I forgive it;
This is strange judgment in passion’s law.”

10. She relented, so I drew up her skirt—
Such beauty bared and exposed!

11. No more of trysts and secluded meetings,
Of nipping the lip and sipping the waist.

12. Of fingers on soft breasts, not broken
And blame that remains chiding me

13. While she does not forbid wickedness.
I said “O you, listen to a lad

14. Whose state is a lesson for those who reflect.
You ordered patience and resignation—if only

15. You were in love you would not be so patient.
Give news to my brothers though they are distant

16. That my life is unhappy due to their absence.
I yearned to see their faces,

17. Those radiant and glowing faces,
Sons of a king whose nobility prides them

18. Above all others, gloriously exalted.
A bounty adorned by them, graced

19. By a gentility that was never seen in others.
This nature never ceased to be victorious

20. Against enemies, vanquishing and triumphant.
Mountains of forbearance, moons of hospitality,

21. Lions in battle, attacking with growls.
Pure white like the hands of the generous, no paleness

22. Of hands not dyed by the dew.
People benefit from them and they benefit

23. People with famed and widespread bounty.
When will I see myself in their Egypt

24. Where each forest is guarded by a lion?
The Nile completes its increase

25. Like coats of mail strewn about.
The boats sail up and down,

26. Ascending with us and cruising down.
The wine cup circulates

27. Sealed with fragrance and fermenting,
Maidens, but this one has a hundred,

28. And that one twelve.
Oh would that I never saw Iraq nor

29. Heard mention of Ahvaz or Basra!
One land elevates me and another

30. Debases me—which is easy and which difficult?
Sometimes atop a Salhaba mount,

31. Its pattering in the desert never stills.
Other times in the Euphrates foundering,

32. Its waves like mountains closely packed.
As if distance loves me

33. Or the hand of union lures me back.