1. Who are you, daughter of the exalted, whom they found
In the garden of life without a partner?

2. You are the daughter of the crowned East, its head
Crowned with your mother's roses or your father's swords.

3. You claim a qithara but you have smashed it
So that the strings would move in your club.

4. O flower of the perfumed East, its aroma
Playing with your loose waist.

5. And the singing nightingale pours out his melody
In your open sleeve for your cupbearer.

6. Poetry in the glances of your eyes is sleeping
And awakens when you want with a wink.

7. But if your glance wishes to be seen
In poetry, the most beautiful spectacle captivates you.

8. So observe in the fountain your radiant beauty—
The masterpieces of poetry do not describe you!

9. The shining full moon has poured out its brightness
In the tent of flowers that houses you.

10. And since you reclined on the pillow to rest
With the nargileh, they all came to you.

11. You brought your hands near the burning coals to light it
Lined on the inside with plaited marjoram.

12. When you opened it flirtatiously
The emotions of its passionate heart fluttered.

13. I had regained my youth whenever I saw you, my love,
And found it more delicious and sweet in you.

14. But my youth and passion have withered
So they are like a puff of smoke from your mouth.

15. I cannot forget the day you rode a led horse
And reined it in front of you like a lively colt.

16. And rays from the moon of your night illuminated
The ruby of the dagger of your slender waist.

17. I have plucked the roses of life
And tossed them on the deserted shore.

18. Then the angry sea came and swept them
To the deep eddies with the darting winds.

19. The roses of my heart would breathe their fragrance on my love,
With the aroma of pure love and laughter.

20. How much poetry I would chant in verses
If your age were twenty, my brother!

21. For a phrase or glance for which
Men have worshipped chastity since they worshipped you.