بسيف اجفانه تقلّد
فاحذر من الصارم المهند
With the sword of his eyelashes he is armed
So beware of that sharp, polished blade
وهز للطعن سمهرياً
سمر القنا دونه تقصد
And he brandishes, ready to stab
A spear-like glance, nothing can evade
قد ضرج الحسن منه خدّاً
من دم عشاقه تورد
His beauty has reddened many a cheek
With the blood of lovers that fiercely flowed
فمن اقاح ومن شقيق
ونرجس ناعس مسهد
Both rose and anemone grace his cheeks
And a drowsy narcissus there abode
له قوام إذا تثنى
رأيته في الجمال مفرد
When he sways his figure is slender
In beauty peerless, nothing compared
جمع شمال الجمال لكن
لشمل صبر المحب بدد
Though perfection itself he does render
Patience remains, lovers ensnared
دمعي طليق وذاك قلبي
عان بأسر الهوى مقيد
My tears flow free and so does my heart
To passion's bonds it is shackled, confined
انظر إلى الخد وهو نضر
تجد رياضاً بذلك الخد
Behold his radiant cheek, a meadow in its part
Gardens therein, for that cheek defined
بدا فبدر الدجى تجلى
مشى فبان الحمى تأود
The moon arose, in night's veil arrayed
He walked, desire itself betrayed
دموع عيني لها انسجام
حين ترى حسنه وتشهد
My tears, with his beauty, do harmonize
When his grace and charms I surveyed
يبسم عن اشنب شتيت
رضابه شهدة وصرخد
His lips part with a tempting smile
Sweet as grapes and juicy fruit combined
يا خجلة الريم حين يرنو
بأحور ناعس واجيد
Bashful, lovable, his glance beguiles
The sleepy deer, completely blind
فالبدر والبانة استعارا
سنا المحيا وهزة القد
The full moon and crescent for features
His cheeks and charming nose provide
ثغر كان الاقاح فيه
يفترّ واللؤلؤ المنضد
Lips where pearls were placed at nature's behest
Parted with pearls inside espied
في ذلك الثغر كنز درّ
بعقرب الصدغ بات يرصد
Treasures and gems behind those lips hide
Waiting to be taken from pearl-lined coast
سدّد عن قوس حاجبيه
سهماً رماني به فاقصد
Draw your bow with his eyebrows to guide
Aim your arrow and his cheek accost
مسدّد الرمي افتديه
بمهجتي رامياً مسدّد
Ransom me, your willing captive made
A marksman's arrow send with perfect aim
لم ار قبل اللحاظ سيفاً
يقتل من شاء وهو مغمد
No sword have I seen that while sheathed
Could kill whoever it wished to maim
ولائم قد عداه وجدي
فلا منى في الهوى وفند
My love is lost, though I tried and sought
No joy in passion could I find
بت شجياً وبات خلواً
من لوعة الهائم المسهد
I've become desolate, distraught
From a perplexed lover's troubled mind
يقول ان الهوى هوان
طورا بعاد وتارة صد
He says that love is disgrace
At times distant, then feelings reprise
قلت عذاب الغرام عذب
وذو الهوى بالغرام يسعد
I said love's torment has its grace
For lovers, in passion find delight
دع المعنى وما يقاسي
كم بين سال وبين مكمد
Leave such meaning, cease thinking of cost
What is between flood and dried river bed
ذق لذة الحب والتصابي
لتعذر المغرم المفند
Taste love and affection's accost
Compared to which all is dull and dead
قلبي عند الحسان اضحى
رهن هوى غادة واغيد
My heart by his love enslaved
To passion belonging to lover and coquette
أوقدت النار وجنتاها
لكنها في الحشا توقد
With his cheeks, the fires he braved
Though hidden, they in embers beset
وشاحها جائل بخصر
واه دقيق يكاد ينقد
His wrapping clings to his waist
Oh how slim, it could easily tear
كم ليلة بت في دجاها
والنوم عن مقلتي مشرد
Many a night in darkness I faced
While sleep from my eyelids would veer
كأنما الجفن وهو يأبى
غمضاً بنجم السماء يعقد
My eyes refused slumber's embrace
As if the stars themselves would deter
كأنما الصبح إذ جفاني
خاف عتابي له فابعد
As dawn arrived and departed apace
It feared my reproach so fled far
يا نفحة الشيح من زرود
تحمل نشر العبير والند
Oh breeze from the loved one, a trace
Bearing fragrance and dew, confer
عرفت عرف الحبيب منها
والركب دون الغوير هجد
I recognized the scent of my dear
While others just emptiness heard
فحدثيني حديث شوق
إلى الحمى والعقيق يسند
Speak to me of yearning and wish
For the fever and ruby beads gird
طاب شذاها كأن فيها
ذكر مليك العلى المؤبد
Their fragrance is blessed, as if
The eternal King's name they referred
