1. My garden has flourished, and my trees have borne fruit,
So sing again, O my birds!

2. O daughters of spring, renew my yearning,
And help youth with my passion.

3. Egypt is my land, the Nile is my river,
And this palace is my home, and every home is mine.

4. I am a sun in the horizon of beauty and kingship,
And for lovers I am light and fire.

5. I frolic among the branches, so they bend
And the eyes of flowers look down.

6. The gentle breeze in the meadow tries to kiss
The trace of my feet on the ground.

7. Drawing from it a fragrant scent,
Blowing into it another fragrance.

8. And palms of leaves strew pearls for me,
So I walk on carpets of petals.

9. The sky remains envious of the face of the earth,
For I have taken the surplus of its dress.

10. So it gazes with the eyes of night sorrowfully,
And weeps with the tears of dawn.

11. Oh morning, have you come with good?
My fear of ill news has been so long.

12. Will you be my relief after safety,
And restore my glory to the young?

13. For the night with its darkness like the finest veils,
Obscures the secrets it contains.

14. And your bright beginnings unfold mysteries,
Disclosing matters once restrained.

15. The recklessness of youth and night has calmed,
Returning composure when you came.

16. Thus passes my night with morning always renewed,
As my joy is replaced by sorrow once again.

17. A lifetime divided between reign and passion,
Would wear down all ages that remain.

18. In the land of hearts my rule is law,
Safe from the burden of sin and pain.

19. It has clung to me despite time and fate,
Tasting my intimacy and my abstinence.

20. It would melt if I wished, but I have hidden
My passion, keeping it intense.

21. Men disliked my death, so they kept
My image in lasting monuments,

22. Refusing to render my beauty
In stone figures and sculptures.

23. Honoring me now, wishing to prolong
Their tribute through all generations.

24. But the grave's occupant, however honored,
Is in contempt, for the grave is contemptible.

25. Strange that my people felt secure with me,
Yet my own security would not settle.

26. My power benefited kings of the world,
But did not benefit me.

27. I released all captives, then became
A captive from whom none could wrestle free.

28. What ails this youth who takes more boldness?
For the prime of youth leads to the grave.

29. I seek purity when my eyes pour out
The purity of these open lands.

30. And I observe the seas become more
Tumultuous from the turbulence of the tides.

31. Surging in their depths things surging,
Like destinies clashing with destinies.

32. Striking the shore then recoiling back
Like the moon, not reaching its full phase.

33. As if space is a mirror of my soul,
Where I see all my reflections and ideas.

34. How many dwellings there my soul craves
Yearningly! And how many ardent sighs!

35. With time moving upward in its course,
And youth sliding down in its decline.

36. Would that I knew what fate has prepared for me
Of woes between these plains!

37. Visions arise like the twisting serpent
Coiling in unbroken chains.

38. Flowing between two resembling seas
That have not been stirred from stillness by rain.

39. The stars shining in the horizon,
What makes you recede from view?

40. The radiant moon has fallen from its sky,
A rising again for the celestial spheres.

41. It filled the universe when it rose high,
And it disappeared while journeying on.

42. So fires appear and disappear
Like bubbles floating in a cup.

43. My soul yearns for modesty and restraint,
Submitting to the reins I hold myself.

44. In the thick of an ardent fire not fueled
By ample wood, flint or steel.

45. It tried to extinguish it but found no way
Except with his sharp piercing sword.

46. So the blade flowed like a torrent,
Rushing rapidly like a stream.

47. O hearts of lovers, what has confused you?
Many deaths, so choose!

48. Convey to the tyrant who dared fight me
And crossed into my lands.

49. I cannot relish a kingdom gained
By disgrace, nor enjoy a shameful life.

50. And if he has attacked without supporters,
Then I will face defeat without supporters!

51. Love has robbed him of sense,
Not by deceit or betrayal.

52. He drove his ships and came hastening,
From mountain to mountain in my lands.

53. The lights of my kingdom appeared to me,
But could not be seen for their brightness.

54. The beauty of Alexandria surpasses
The hidden beauty of Rome.

55. With surprise, without waiting,
And attacks without warning.

56. A giant among groups, he assumed
Humiliating that arrogant one.

57. He discarded the sword and blade,
Smitten with a club and bracelet.

58. Seeking what his companion sought before,
But never repeat what is done!

59. He harbors love, then shows disfavor,
A secret spreads though concealed.

60. O Time, how often you pass me the cup
Exceeding all bounds of intoxication!

61. Prepare, O maid, my place of joy,
And ready the morning drink for me.

62. Let these singing girls stand and sing
Strumming rhythmically on the lutes,

63. That a melody may soothe my soul,
For my soul finds comfort in strings.

64. Let my throne of joy be erected
With a towering minaret.

65. Bearing above it the pleasure of youth
With fragrant promise and tender blossoms.

66. And illuminate the darkness of my soul with shining
Little stars like pearls on necklaces.

67. Or like tears on the cheeks of virgins,
As gems appread on handbags.

68. It is trivial to me to shed both care and crown
If I remove my virgins' handbags.

69. The governance of people once annoyed me,
And if it lasts, my annoyance lasts.

70. That which the desert was obsessed with
Is ornament of pretense and empty boasting.

71. O Crown, I only wore you with
Some robes still remaining on my head.

72. So farewell my chamber, you were a sun
Shining with splendor and grace.

73. The love of all I cared for is now gone,
Distracted from their neighbor's company.

74. The rule of youth has ended, as though
It never was, with no mementos left.

75. And parting from loved ones, if true in love,
Leads to the land of suicide.

76. You have conquered, O Caesar, but with what?
Not a land of bounty or home.