كَيفَ خَطا النَتنُ إِلى مِنخَري

كَيفَ خَطا النَتنُ إِلى مِنخَري

وَدونَهُ راحٌ وَرَيحانُ

وَدونَهُ راحٌ وَرَيحانُ

How did the stench make its way to my nostril,

How did the stench reach my nose

How did this stench step right up to my nose,

With wine and basil before it?

Though below it, ease and basil?

With wine and sweet basil standing between?

أَظُنُّ كِرياساً طَما قُربَنا

أَظُنُّ كِرياساً طَما قُربَنا

أَو ذَكَرَ اليُؤيُؤَ إِنسانُ

أَو ذَكَرَ اليُؤيُؤَ إِنسانُ

I think a privy has overflowed near us,

I suspect a chalice brought near

I think a cesspit has flooded nearby,

Or someone has mentioned al-Yuʾyuʾ.

Or a human recalled the ruby

Or someone mentioned Al-Yu'yu' by name.