1. A nimble gazelle in the pastures of Najd
Her branches in a pond shaded and watered

2. When the breeze blows gently and the rain patters
The breeze caresses her, whispering endearments

3. She rests comfortably in her shade, white and lovely
You’d think she was spreading out softly or folding in

4. Black are her tails, white are her rumps
Red are her thighs, yellow her high haunches

5. I glimpsed her and she glanced back timidly
Like the sun glimpsed through clouds that veil her

6. I lay back, resting on the sand at my camp
The scent of musk spreading through the air around her

7. Then I woke, dawn breaking through the darkness
His brilliance bursting forth from all around her

8. I donned my coat of mail and rode to Ghada
Lightning smiles at her, thunder weeps for her

9. My eyes brim with tears for a bedouin girl glimpsed
Adrift in the flood of tears she elicited

10. Would that she were mine, though hopes deceive
Torturing the soul with all the world contains