دخلنَ عواذلي من كلّ بابِ

ولمنَ على التلذّذِ والتصابي

My loved ones entered from every door

My female critics stormed in from every door,

And I wouldn't cease my pleasures and delight

Blaming me for seeking pleasure and youthful love.

ولستُ بتاركٍ أبداً هوىً لي

وإن أكثرنَ جهلاً من عتابي

Nor will I ever abandon my passion

Yet never shall I abandon a passion of mine,

Though most blame my foolishness and reproach

No matter how much, in ignorance, they heap their blame.

هوىً متتابعٌ فتكي ولهوي

وكل اللهوِ في شرخ الشابِ

My passion is intense, playful and desirous

A passion where my recklessness and play flow on,

And all playfulness lies in youth's vigor

For all true amusement lies in the prime of youth.

أنا متقنّصٌ دانٍ قريبٌ

بباب الكرخ مجتمع الطياب

I'm a humble, gentle imposter

I am a hunter, lurking close at hand,

At the gates of Karkh with the young lads

At the Gate of Karkh, where all good delights converge.

بلا بازٍ نصيدُ إذا خرجنا

ولا صقرٍ ولا طلبِ الكلابِ

Without a falcon we hunt when we go out

We hunt without a hawk when we set forth,

No hawk or dogs in our pursuit

Without a falcon, or the chasing of the hounds.

بفقرٍ غير ذي ريش تراه

سريعاً حين يُرسل في الطلاب

With a poverty devoid of feathers you'll see

With a featherless shaft that you clearly see,

Swiftly when sent after the prey

Swift-flying when it is sent out in pursuit.

فتأتينا الظباء إذا رأتهُ

سريعاً طائعينَ بلا جذابِ

The gazelles come to us when they see him

And so the gazelles approach us when they see it,

Swiftly obedient without restraint

Rushing quickly, obedient, without a struggle.

فنأكل صيدنا نيّاً كبابً

بلا ملحٍ فيا لك من كبابِ

We eat our fresh, raw catch

Then we devour our quarry, raw and as kebab,

Without salt - what a delicious meal!

Without a grain of salt—oh, what a kebab it is!