ولم نر بحراً جرى بالعقار

ولا ذهباً صيغ منه جبل

We have not seen a sea carrying aloes wood,

Nor gold being molded into a mountain,

إلى أن جرت دجله في الشعاع

وطنب بالنور اعلى القلل

Until the Tigris flowed with radiance

And the peaks were illuminated with light.

سحاب الدخان ويرقى الشرار

ورعد الملاهي وغيث الجذل

The clouds of smoke ascended and sparks flew,

The thunder of festivities and pouring rain,

وما زال يعلو عجاج الدخا

ن حتى تلوّن منه زحل

The smoke kept rising higher

Until Saturn was tinted by its color.

فكنا نرى الموج من فضة

فذهبه النور حتى اشتعل

We used to see the waves as silver,

But the light made it gold, kindling

شراراً يحاكي انقضاض النجوم

وبرقاً كايماض بيض تسل

Sparks mimicking the falling of stars,

And lightning like the flashing of white swords.