على نهر سل في دجى الليل من رأى

كواكبه زهراً تأمل ام زهرا

Beside a river, ask whoever, in the depths of night, has seen

its stars as blossoms: did he gaze on stars—or flowers?

إذا طلعت فيه النجوم فما ترى

به العين الا الثلج مستودعاً جمرا

When the stars rise within it, you see

nothing there but snow harboring embers.

ثرى قد اعاد الليل مسكاً عبيره

وماء اعاد البدر فضته تبرا

You see that night has made its fragrance musk,

and that the full moon has turned the water’s silver into gold dust.