1. Many a free girl walks with the gait of a sturdy lad,
Swaying in the dress of a frolicking youth,

2. As soon as she felt the first flush of passion,
Or as though she never touched the ground in her walk.

3. She sways supple as a branch of youth's sapling,
As if she is glancing with the eyes of a fawn,

4. White, unblemished by the yellowness of sickness,
Striking her neck with black tresses,

5. Clustered like bunches of ripened dates,
Adorned with necklaces of pearl and ruby,

6. With a throat like an edifice of polished marble
I confronted her, but she did not confront me with her hand,

7. Rather with her legs, and she did not waver,
So I remained still, resigned to my seat,

8. Suspecting that next to her was a hairy monkey,
Disheveled like harvested heads of millet,

9. Persistently courting the likes of her, accustomed,
In a lofty ornate house, honorable assembly,

10. Tolerant in his wedding, forbearing in his spectacle.
Enduring Khaled, O source of glory abounding,

11. How much do you have with me of hands that did not fail you,
Who praise you for your most glorious deeds.