1. If the sun had seen her, it wouldn't have risen,
And the sand turned pale, and necklace threads untouched.
١. وَغادَةٍ لَوْ رَأَتْها الَّشْمُس ما طَلَعَتْ
وَالرّيمُ أَغْضَى وَخُوطُ البانِ لَمْ يَمِسِ
2. I embraced her in the night's gown, huddled together,
Until I awoke to the chill of her cheekbones in the darkness.
٢. عانَقْتُها بِرِداءِ اللَّيْلِ مشْتَمِلاً
حَتّى انْتَبَهْتُ بِبَرْدِ الحَلْي في الغَلَسِ
3. So I protect her, fearing to wake her,
And avoid melting the pearls with my breath.
٣. فَبِتُّ أَحْمِيهِ خَوْفاً أَنْ يُنَبِّهَها
وَأَتَّقِي أَنْ أُذيبَ العِقْدَ بِالنَّفَسِ