أزَهْرُ جنانٍ من جنانٍ تنمّقا

وخمرُ بيانٍ من بَنانٍ تعتّقا

Gardens of paradise flourished, blooming,

And wine of eloquence from Lebanon maturing.

وإلا فما هزّ المعاطفُ أغصُناً

كأنّ به من مسّ ذكراهُ أولقا

Else, the robes would not have swayed the branches,

As if touched by one whose memory awakens desire.

ألا إنه طُرْسٌ تبسّم عن نُهىً

جَرى في حواشيه فشقّ وشوّقا

Indeed, it is a manuscript that smiles despite prohibition -

It flowed in its margins, split them and ignited passion.

دجىً عارضَ الأقلامَ فيه وأومضت

بروقُ المَعاني بينَهُ فتألّقا

The ink stained it at dusk, and the flashes

Of meanings shone through it, radiant and dazzling.