قالوا حبيبك قد تضوع نشره

قالوا حبيبك قد تضوع نشره

حتى غدا منه الفضاء معطرا

حتى غدا منه الفضاء معطرا

They said, “Your beloved’s fragrance has wafted abroad,

They said, “Your beloved’s fragrance has spread,

until all the air grew perfumed by him.”

until the open air has become perfumed by it.”

فأجبتهم والخال يعلو خده

فأجبتهم والخال يعلو خده

أو ما ترون النار تحرق عنبرا

أو ما ترون النار تحرق عنبرا

I answered them, while the mole sat high upon his cheek:

So I answered them, as the mole sat upon his cheek:

“Do you not see that fire burns ambergris?”

“And do you not see the fire burning ambergris?”