لقد صان أصداغ المماليك نبتها

لقد صان أصداغ المماليك نبتها

وما شانهم في الحسن حلق الذوائب

وما شانهم في الحسن حلق الذوائب

The hair that sprouts there has indeed guarded the Mamluks’ temple-locks;

Indeed, their hair growth has protected the Mamluks’ temples,

nor has shaving their tresses marred their beauty.

and shaving their tresses has not marred their beauty.

فما بال من يهواهم عندما اتقى

فما بال من يهواهم عندما اتقى

عضاض الأفاعي نام فوق العقارب

عضاض الأفاعي نام فوق العقارب

Then how is it that one who loves them, having guarded against

So why did one who loves them, when he avoided

the vipers’ bites, sleeps upon scorpions?

the bites of vipers, sleep atop scorpions?