1. O branch of softness, were it not for your swaying gait
The meaning would not have fallen in love with you

2. And O gazelle, if you lacked beauty
That which I love would not have been praised

3. I was encumbered by a branch, a branch embellished with pearls
And I was tempted by a gazelle, a gazelle with beautiful eyes

4. And of that which consoled me, was his bashfulness
I say he barely glanced, though he stared intently

5. And this is also like the garden of his cheek
Where a rose is called doubling though it doubles

6. So O gazelle, if only you would pay me heed
And O branch, if only you would show me kindness

7. O sanctuary of beauty, so safeguarded
While our hearts around it are snatched away

8. Perhaps a glance of union O dimple of his cheek
For I know the glance contains kindness

9. O my loves, as for my passion after you
It has increased beyond what you know and I know

10. You have prolonged my torment in love, so show mercy
Upon one encumbered in his love for you, though he pretends

11. By God, I did not part from you out of blame
Though I insist in speech and oaths

12. But Ala’a son of Jaldak called me
To longing of a heart that led me and pulled me

13. To a master whose traits and manners
Discipline one who praises him and repels

14. Smoother than pure water, of beautiful features
And purer than aged wine, most gentle

15. Diverse merits, if an eyebrow would possess them
It would never be struck by the bow, fully drawn

16. Becoming thereby Hatim, himself Hatim
And rising thereby Ahnaf, himself Ahnaf

17. The rhymes came to you and were counted as a garden
For what was embedded in them, an adorned utterance

18. And if they intended to blame your stature, they would transgress
Far be it! His heart is most pure

19. And be laden with shame, while he is organized pearls
And clothed with sorrow, while he is layered brocade

20. And prayed against as hell, while in beauty a heaven
And given bitter aloes, while it is fragrant camphor