بِجانبِ الكرخِ من بغداد عنّ لنا

ظبيٌ ينفّرهُ عن وصلنا نَفَرُ

Beside the Karkh of Baghdad a gazelle appeared,

Startled by our approach, it fled in fear.

ذُؤابتاه نجادا سيف مقلتِهِ

وَجَفنُهُ جَفنُهُ واِفرِندُهُ الحَوَرُ

Its curved horns were like curved swords,

Its eyelids so delicate, blinking with charm.

ضَفيرتاهُ على قَتلي تَضافَرَتا

فمن رأى شاعراً أودى به الشَّعَرُ

It conspired against me, to slay me,

Who has seen a poet undone by his art?