وَبيضٍ مِنَ النَسجِ القَديمِ كَأَنَّها

وَبيضٍ مِنَ النَسجِ القَديمِ كَأَنَّها

نِهاءٌ بِقاعٍ ماؤُها مُتَرايِعُ

نِهاءٌ بِقاعٍ ماؤُها مُتَرايِعُ

And white coats of ancient-woven mail, as though they were

And white coats of mail of ancient weave, as though they were

scattered pools across lowlands, their waters surging—

Pools on level ground, their water flowing to and fro;

تُصَفِّقُها هوجُ الرِياحِ إِذا صَفَت

تُصَفِّقُها هوجُ الرِياحِ إِذا صَفَت

وَتَعقُبُها الأَمطارُ فَالماءُ راجِعُ

وَتَعقُبُها الأَمطارُ فَالماءُ راجِعُ

raging winds slap them when the air grows clear,

Fierce winds buffet them when they grow clear,

then rains follow in their wake, and the water returns.

And rains follow them, so the water returns.