وبيض ظنناهن والجام محدق

وبيض ظنناهن والجام محدق

بهن كصدر هن فيه فواد

بهن كصدر هن فيه فواد

And white ones we took—while the cup encircled

With fair hopes we deemed them, and the cup was gazing

them like a chest, with them as its heart—

At their bosoms, breasts wherein hearts fluttered;

أنامل غيد ما وصلن براحة

أنامل غيد ما وصلن براحة

واعين عين ما لهن سواد

واعين عين ما لهن سواد

for graceful maidens’ fingertips, joined to no palm,

Fingers delicate, that never a rough task essayed,

and wide-eyed maidens’ eyes, with no dark pupils.

And eyes, eyes that were only blackness.