وَمُعَذَّرينَ كَأَن نَبَت خُدودِهِم

أَقلامُ مِسكٍ تَستَمِدُّ خَلوقا

With apologies their cheeks sprout

Like pens of musk seeking elegance.

قَرَنوا البَنَفسَجَ بِالشَقيقِ وَنَظَّموا

تَحتَ الزَبَرجَدِ لُؤلُؤاً وَعَقيقا

They paired violet with anemone and strung

Under turquoise pearl and carnelian

فَهُمِ الَّذينَ إِذا الخَلِيُّ رَآهُم

وَجَدَ الهَوى بِهِمُ إِلَيهِ طَريقا

So they are those when the bosom friend saw them

Passion found through them its way to him.