مثلٌ إليهِ يَنتَهي المثلُ

نِصفانِ مرتجٌّ ومعتدلُ

An example to which the example comes to an end,

Two halves, swaying and balanced,

غصنٌ كأن الحسنَ يخنقُه

بالنورِ ملتثمٌ ومشتملُ

A branch as if beauty strangles it,

Embracing and enveloped in light,

ومحببٌ صنع النعيم له

خداً يفتتح ورده الخجلُ

And beloved, paradise made for him,

A cheek whose shyness its rose opens,

قبلتهُ باللحظِ مسترِقاً

يا طيبِها لو أنَّها قبلُ

I kissed it with a stolen glance,

Oh its sweetness, if only it were a kiss.