1. بالهنا أكمل البدور

    لاح في طالع السرور

    With bliss, the most perfect of full moons

    shone in the ascendant of joy,

  2. بعريس لاح عليه نور

    ذا الفرح به ياما أحسنه

    in a bridegroom upon whom light shone.

    This joy in him—oh, how lovely it is!

  3. ربّ زيده في وجو

    ده من سعوده

    Lord, grant him more, throughout his life,

    of his good fortune.

  4. واكرمه من ال

    عين سلّمه

    And honor him; from the

    evil eye, keep him safe.

  5. مر له عقد قد حلا

    والفرح فيه قد علا

    A marriage bond came his way, sweet indeed,

    and joy there had risen high.

  6. كان فيه ناس بالملا

    من أكابر هم هم

    There were people there in throngs,

    from among the grandees—those very men.

  7. فيه مباخر وسكا

    كر للخواطر

    There were censers and sweetmeats

    for the hearts,

  8. يهيّموا سقوا الن

    ناس وأنعموا

    to enrapture them; they gave drink to the

    people and bestowed favors.

  9. العروسة مع العريس

    هي رئيسة وهو رئيس

    The bride with the bridegroom:

    she is a leader, and he a leader.

  10. كنهم قطر في بسيس

    من خلقهم ما أعظمه

    As though they were syrup in a flour confection.

    How great is the One who created them!

  11. يا هناهم في جلا

    هم بمناهم

    Oh, their joy at their bridal display!

    In all they wished for,

  12. تنعَّموا فرحهم

    يا رب تممه

    they reveled; their joy—

    O Lord, make it complete!

  13. بختهم في الصباحية

    حين يجوا بالزلابية

    What luck is theirs the morning after the wedding,

    when they come with zalābiya fritters,

  14. والزغاريط عاليه

    والمغاني يرنّموا

    and the ululations rise high,

    and the singers chant.

  15. والعرايس بالنفا

    يس في دسايس

    And the brides, with precious treasures,

    amid secret intrigues,

  16. تلملموا وهنا الس

    سر تعلّموا

    gathered together; and here the

    secret they learned.