يا حبَّذا حُلْوَانُ فالنيلُ

رَبْعٌ بِحُسْن اللهوِ مأْهولُ

O how splendid are the surroundings of my friend!

A quarter with beautiful entertainment is crowded

رُحْتُ ومركوبِي بِه أدهمٌ

على جَناحِ الريح محمولُ

I went and my mount, which is gray,

is carried on the wings of the wind

كأنه في الماءِ زَنْجِيّةٌ

لها من الموجِ أكاليلُ

As though it were in the water, a barge

With waves forming garlands around it

والنّيلُ في رونَقِ شمسِ الضحا

سيفٌ صَقيلُ المتنِ مسلولُ

And the Nile in the splendor of the morning sun

A polished, smooth sword unsheathed

حتى إذا ما دَرَجَتْه الصَّبا

وماج مِنه العَرْضُ والطولُ

Until when the morning breeze stirred it

And it surged in breadth and length

فهو لمَن أبصره جَوْشنٌ

على مِهادِ الأَرضِ مسدول

To one who saw it, it is a carpet

Spread out on the bed of the earth

أو حُبُكٌ تَرصِيعُها جَوْهَرٌ

مُبَدَّدٌ فِيهنّ مَحْلول

Or a fabric embroidered with gems

Scattered on it and dissolved

نادمتُ فِيهِ أحْوَراً كَشْحُه

أهيفُ فوق الردفِ مجدول

I shared drinks with a companion whose stinginess

Is more generous over the flask and more affectionate when kissing

أكثرُ ما يبذُلُ مِن وصلِهِ

لَثْمٌ على الكأسِ وتقبِيل

Most of what he offers of his intimacy

Is a kiss on the goblet and an embrace