1. She freed a hand though it was stained with henna
And wished to part from her lover in youthful separation

2. An orphan of beauty, yet full-grown in it
To the utmost extent of the most perfect and purest maturity

3. Whoever's eye alights on any part of her
Will speak of naught else that he has seen after averting his gaze

4. And the soft radiance of the loveliest wine was her complexion
And the water of life itself, were it tasted, would perish

5. When she smiles, lightning seems to flash
And I wish she would grant me a draught from amidst the lightning

6. She sways with a slender shape, bare of adornment
How many branches has it shamed with its bending

7. A gazelle of the herd, unmatched in beauty
And it is impossible to encompass that in description

8. If she revealed to people the essence of her beauty
They would point to her and say, "Forbear from revealing!"

9. Do you not see the people are distraught without her?
She has snatched away their minds with sudden plunder

10. And I, for that beauty among them, am the most crazed
For that beauty, the most foolish among them

11. It is no wonder that she appears like the sun
For they are two sisters, and the difference cannot be hidden

12. They have seized the full moon of the sky along with the sky
And its stars, each owning half

13. They divided all that I have mentioned before
Dealing justly, shunning injustice

14. Making each of the earth and sky
A share that I think cannot be matched in equivalence

15. And they stipulated for the earth that her lover
Should appear by day, then by night without concealment

16. And they allotted to the full moon of the sky and the stars
That were beautifully arranged in order

17. On condition that her lover be veiled by night
And appear by day deserving full revelation

18. While overtaking him is an eclipse that mars his beauty
And the full moon of the sky is clothed in darkness

19. And that gazelle agreed and chose
The earth, preferring to appear and not be hidden

20. A slender, languid, gentle-paced gazelle
Filled with charm as she is filled with grace

21. I pine for her with passion and long for her in ardour
I stay awake all night, knowing no sleep

22. A fire in my entrails lights up the night’s darkness
By it I illuminate the night, kindled, not quenched

23. I have no sane mind, no mind that reasons
No sound adviser to say, "Enough!"

24. Nor was I, through the sanity of reason, deterred
Nor was I, by such advice, made to refrain

25. How could I be, when my passion became a part of my innards?
And if that part were erased, I would perish

26. But still I want advice, so that it may rouse me
To increase, in my passion, my fervent love

27. And praising the Most High, of Mighty Name, is my way
To Him I devoted my heart, lovingly inclined

28. The brother of glory and nobility, the lion cub of the generous
He who has adopted munificence, generosity, and graciousness

29. He is the fierce, terrible lion, the warrior
Who has clad warriors in his awe-inspiring battles

30. He could overcome each lion, if it faced him alone
When the warriors rise up in battle array before him

31. How many horsemen charge on the back of a led steed
Then fall from fear, unable to advance

32. How many fierce lions with bared fangs
He has cloven in half, leaving each half

33. Yet his right hand does not fail, his might does not decline
Nor has the Compassionate ever frowned at him

34. A distinguished, eminent, perfect amir of prestige
Handsome, sound in nature, steadfast, already healed

35. The water of gentleness flows copiously through him
And gather in his company the wise and gentle

36. Forbearing, venerable, dignified and revered
Wise, governing affairs, not resorting to violence

37. So honour through him a noble spirit
And praise through him repute and extol him in verse

38. O valiant one, peerless in might!
To you the virgins sing amorously and languish

39. As a bride she came to you, her thoughts adorned
With the beautiful rhymes of verse, led to you in procession

40. She tilted her neck, praising you,
And leaned toward you, coquettishly inclined

41. She did not perfect during her term the full period of her pregnancy
So inevitably the deficiency in her must be overlooked

42. Look on her with favour, accepting her
And overlook any faults for which she might be blamed

43. Live in God's protection, guarded by His care
And may God fortify you with His shelter

44. For as long as the zephyrs blow from the morning breeze
And sway the branches, bending them flexibly

45. For as long as the lovesick roam, swearing,
"She freed a hand though it was stained with henna"