يا حُسنَ هَذا السَطح مِن مُتنّزه

لِلعَين ما تَلتذ فيهِ وَتَشتَهي

O beauty of this rooftop garden, a delight

For the eye, where it finds joy and desire

مِن خُضرة نَضرت وَماء سائح

وَمدامة حضرت وَبَهجة أَوجه

In the fresh, verdant growth, flowing water,

Fine wine prepared, and joyous, cheerful faces,

وَعِصابة أُدباء كُل شاعر

وَالظَرف في الدُنيا إَلَيهُم يَنتَهي

A gathering of cultivated men of letters,

Each a poet, the epitome of wit and grace,

تَهمي عُقود الشعر بَينَ عُقولَهُم

كَتَناثُر المُرجان مِن عَقد بَهي

Strings of poetry adorn their minds,

Like scattered coral of a resplendent necklace,

يا فَرحة لَو كُنتُ بَينَ القَوم يا

مَن لا يَطيب لَنا المَقام سِوى بِهِ

O what bliss, if I were among these men!

For none but you makes our company sweet.

فَهلمَّ نَجمَع شَملَنا وَنَظامَنا

يا زيننا وَأَمام كُل مُفَّوهِ

Come, let us reunite and restore our accord,

O our grace and before all eloquent speakers,

وَمَتى تَجب فَكَأَننا في رَوضَةٍ

وَمَتى تَغب فَكَأننا في مَهمَهِ

When you are present, it is as if we are in a meadow,

When you are absent, it is as if we are in gloom.