عرضت لي لمياء بالخيف تحكي

عرضت لي لمياء بالخيف تحكي

غصن البان نعمة وقواما

غصن البان نعمة وقواما

A dark-lipped maiden appeared before me at al-Khayf, resembling

She appeared to me at dusk, conversing

a bough of the ban tree in suppleness and stature.

Of the hyacinth’s branch—a blessing and slender.

تتمشى في نسوةٍ كضباء الر

تتمشى في نسوةٍ كضباء الر

مل يخفين بينهن الكلاما

مل يخفين بينهن الكلاما

She strolls among women like gazelles of the

She walked among maidens like shy mountain does,

sand; they keep their talk hushed among themselves.

Not concealing her words among them.

كدت أن أخلع العذار ولكن

كدت أن أخلع العذار ولكن

ني تحرجت حيث كنت حراما

ني تحرجت حيث كنت حراما

I nearly cast off the bridle of restraint, but

I almost removed my collar, but

I held back out of scruple, since I was in pilgrim consecration.

I was too shy, since it would be illicit.

ثم إني ناديت والقلب فيه

ثم إني ناديت والقلب فيه

شعل للهوى تزيد اضطراما

شعل للهوى تزيد اضطراما

Then I called out, while within my heart

Then I called her, with a heart

flames of passion blazed ever more fiercely:

Aflame with love, surging with turmoil:

يا ابنة القوم هل لديك لصادٍ

يا ابنة القوم هل لديك لصادٍ

شربة من لماك تشفي الأوامغا

شربة من لماك تشفي الأوامغا

'O daughter of the tribe, have you, for one athirst,

“O daughter of the tribe, do you have for a thirsty man

a sip from your dark lips that would quench burning thirst?'

A drink from your cheek to cure his lovesickness?”

فاجابت إن العفاف وإن الص

فاجابت إن العفاف وإن الص

ون ينهي عن ذاك والاسلاما

ون ينهي عن ذاك والاسلاما

She replied, 'Indeed, chastity, and indeed

She replied, “Chastity and religion

self-restraint, forbid that—and Islam too.'

Prevent that, as does propriety and Islam.”