هل كانَ طرفُكَ يعرفُ الخُيَلا

أو كانَ لحظُكَ مُلِّكَ الأجَلا

Did your glance know horses

Or did your gaze rule fate

الناظريكَ فداكَ مُذ رميَا

سَوداءَ مهجتهِ ومَن قَتَلا

Whoever looks upon you, since he threw

His soul into darkness and was slain

أن يأخذا قيساً بلحظهِما

من ليسَ يقبلُ في الهَوى عَذلا

That they should take Qays with their glances

One who accepts no excuse in passion

ما كان ضرَّهما وَقد ملكا

أن يَنعَما بالعطفِ أو يصِلا

It was no harm to them, since they possessed

To be gentle or join those they've killed