1. إذا أرواحنا بالطبخ يوماً

    غلظنَ فذلك العسل الثخين

    When one day our spirits, through cooking,

    grow thick, that is the thick honey.

  2. وبالتركيب يغلظ بعد طبخ

    بتدبير له أمدٌ وحين

    And through compounding it thickens after cooking,

    by a treatment with its span and time.

  3. فأعلى مائنا عسل مصفّى

    وآخره عُرَىً ذهب ثمينُ

    So the upper part of our water is clarified honey,

    and its last portion is loops of precious gold.

  4. فيمسك ماؤنا بعراه حتى

    يتم وذلك العقد المبين

    Then our water holds fast by its loops until

    it is complete—and that is the evident binding.

  5. وبدء جنيننا صلصال طين

    بدا من لينه حَمَأٌ سَنينُ

    And our embryo begins as dry, ringing clay;

    from its softness appeared aged black mud.

  6. تكوّن نطفة وله قرار

    حصين لا يطاف به مكينُ

    It took shape as a drop and has a resting place,

    fortified, with no one going around it, secure.

  7. ففكر تستفد كنزاً دفيناً

    فحلمتنا هي الكنز الثمين

    So ponder, and you will gain a buried treasure;

    for our nipple is the precious treasure.