وكأنّ البنودَ أجنته الطي

وكأنّ البنودَ أجنته الطي

رِ يُرَفرِفنَ إِذ حَوَتها القُيودُ

رِ يُرَفرِفنَ إِذ حَوَتها القُيودُ

And as though the banners were birds’ wings,

As if the clauses had begotten it the wind

fluttering when fetters enclosed them;

Flutters as the shackles surrounded it

وكأنّ المُحمرةَ اللّونِ في الأٌف

وكأنّ المُحمرةَ اللّونِ في الأٌف

قِ خدود يَزينُها التّوريدُ

قِ خدود يَزينُها التّوريدُ

and as though the red-hued banners on the horizon

As if the rosy cheeks in the horizon

were cheeks adorned with a rosy blush;

Were adorned by blushing

وكأنَّ العقاب والريحَ إلفا

وكأنَّ العقاب والريحَ إلفا

نِ فمن ذا وضلّ ومن ذي صدود

نِ فمن ذا وضلّ ومن ذي صدود

and as though the eagle and the wind were two lovers:

As if the punishment and the wind were intimate

so from him, affection [conjectural reading]; and from her, rejection.

So who has strayed and who has barriers