أصف الحبيبَ ولا أقول كأنه

أصف الحبيبَ ولا أقول كأنه

كلّا لقد أمسى من الأفرادِ

كلّا لقد أمسى من الأفرادِ

I describe the beloved, but do not say, “He is like...”

I describe my beloved, but do not say he is like others,

No indeed—he has become one of the peerless.

Indeed, he has become unique among individuals.

إني لأستحْيي محاسن وجهِه

إني لأستحْيي محاسن وجهِه

ألّا أنزِّهَهُ عن الأندادِ

ألّا أنزِّهَهُ عن الأندادِ

Indeed, I am ashamed before the beauties of his face

I am shy to praise the beauty of his face,

not to exalt him beyond all equals.

Unless I elevate him above all equals.