يقول لي شبهت غصن النقا

يقول لي شبهت غصن النقا

بقامتي وهو لها ساجد

بقامتي وهو لها ساجد

He says to me, “You likened the sand dune’s bough

He says to me you likened my slender form

to my stature, though it bows down before it;

To a willow branch bending low

وقلت وجهي مثل بدر السما

وقلت وجهي مثل بدر السما

في تمه وهو له حاسد

في تمه وهو له حاسد

and said my face is like the sky’s full moon

And said my face was like the full moon

in its fullness, though the moon envies my face.

Shining bright, though some are envious of its glow

وما كفى أنك شبهتني

وما كفى أنك شبهتني

بالظبي وهو النافر الشارد

بالظبي وهو النافر الشارد

Was it not enough that you likened me

It wasn’t enough that you compared me

to a gazelle, though it is skittish and fleeing,

To a gazelle, shy and fleet of foot

حتى تقول الشعر مثل الدجا

حتى تقول الشعر مثل الدجا

والله هذا طمعٌ زائدُ

والله هذا طمعٌ زائدُ

that you even say my hair is like the darkness of night?

You had to say my hair was like the night

By God, this is excessive greed!”

By God, your hopes have taken flight!