1. A night's cloudlet o'er a shining dawn,
Or grief's darkness upon my brow?

2. By my father! Whoever I choose to arbitrate,
In my love, yet he sides against me.

3. In his cheek's garden is a meadow
Where flows the water of youth, ever fresh,

4. I said, as he swaggered flaunting
His cloak, captivating with his glance.

5. This is the full moon, branch of softness -
Do not doubt him!

6. I hung upon him, craving the delight
That magic worked within my eyes at dawn.

7. His cheek tattooed with rain of youth -
No less than rose and jasmine.

8. I obeyed the promptings of passion for him
And never ceased defying those who censure.

9. I protected my soul from love of any but him
From the meadow of his cheek, in safekeeping.

10. Had I seen other than his beauty pleasing,
I'd have been lost indeed.

11. O bough swaying with the wine stock's red,
O lion destroying the fortresses of heroes!

12. You rose among your people with stars
That light the dark for those astray.

13. You became their shining moon,
Your brilliance evenings the eyes of all who look.

14. What glory have I won in you!
For you are firmly fixed, wherever you are found.

15. Nobility itself smiles at the traits
You have displayed, in your understanding of listeners.

16. The radiance of your visage gives joy,
The bending of your branches sways the boughs.

17. Are you other than a place of kneeling for all people,
Who fall before you worshipping?

18. Abu'l Walid, unsheathe the sword of love
And dip its blade in the blood of lovers.

19. The envious ones have picked apart our union,
Spoiling the adornments of the intimate and hater.

20. They hoped to turn love away, but hurl at them
Their plots - let them retreat disgraced!