1. Who shall excuse me, who shall aid me, who shall do me justice?
This is my blood, shed by the daughter of the just man,

2. With a tender cheek like an Indian sword, finely sharpened,
And a slender form like a delicate branch, gracefully curved,

3. And glances from languid, heavily fringed eyelids,
That shoot the arrows of love from a hidden corner.

4. Her rosy fingers have shed this blood, and so they have become
Banners proclaiming the cheapness of her flirtatious ways.

5. Alas, Gazelle of the sand dunes, who has wronged me unjustly?
Who will do me justice against you?

6. Did you think, when you traced the paths of aloofness,
That your people had changed and become unjust?

7. No, my attachment to you is natural,
I have become accustomed to it without affectation.

8. O sister of the radiant full moon, charm of the delicate branch,
And lady of the faithful heart!

9. By God, you are the priceless treasure, were you to appear
To the sun, it would halt in its course and stand still.

10. Haifaa, whom the breeze bends gently like the morning breeze,
She is too shy to reveal her morning beauty.

11. The smoothness of her body can be glimpsed through her clothes,
So her hidden charms are scarcely concealed.

12. The slenderness of her waist contrasts with the fullness of her hips -
What an imbalance between her shoulders and trunk!

13. A beauty who surpasses all adornment and ostentation,
Through the excellence of her beauty.

14. A songstress whose singing surpasses the sweetest melody,
Through the charm of her song and the grace of her composition.

15. If she begins to sing, the ears are held in longing,
If she appears, the eyes are fixed in wonder.

16. She fills eyes and ears with a joy that is unparalleled -
Speak of this, then swear it is true!

17. She is naturally disposed to win men's hearts, so her person
Is the desire of the lover and the delight of the admirer.

18. O sun of beauty, you have outshone the sun itself -
Reveal yourself or disappear as you wish!

19. O you, whose dainty figure sways so gracefully,
Can any charm compare with your gentle ways?

20. Is there any hope for a lover unless it be you?
Indeed no, neither in life nor in the Holy Book!

21. Why can you not be kind, like your mantle?
Why can you not be just, like your noble father?

22. You are not just, nor the daughter of a just man -
Passion lied if I called you daughter of the just man!