رأت أقوامها اغتصبت بلادي

فنازعت الحجى وغزت فؤادي

She saw that her people had seized my land,

So she challenged reason and invaded my heart.

تقاتلني النواعس عن فتور

فقلبي واللواحظ في جهاد

The drowsy eyes fight me languidly,

So my heart and those glances are at war.

أهيم بها ولم أحفل بعقب

وأهواها وإن عكست مرادي

I am madly in love with her and have paid no heed to the outcome.

And I love her, even if she thwarts my wish.

أعظم شأنها حين اقترابي

وأحفظ عهدها حين ابتعادي

I hold her in high esteem when I draw near,

And keep faith with her when I draw away.

وقالوا إنها زرقاء عين

فقلت القبح كله في السواد

And they said, “She is blue-eyed,”

So I said, “All ugliness lies in blackness.”