أحسنُ من يوم الشعانين

ونعتِ أعيادِ الملاعين

Better than the day of palms,

Far lovelier than the day of Palm Sunday,

And festivals of the cursed,

And the festivals that the accursed display,

تفّاحةٌ بين الرياحين

في مجلس العجم الدهاقين

Is an apple amid the meadows

Is an apple nestled amidst sweet basil,

In an assembly of eloquent Persians.

In the council where Persian squires hold sway.

حمراءُ كالنار ولكنّها

قُبلةُ أحبابٍ ميامين

Red like fire, yet it is

Red as the fire, yet in truth it is

A kiss of beloved friends.

A kiss of lovers, blessed in their bliss.

ما شانها عضٍّ وقد صيّرت

لي نخبةً دون الرياحين

Why does it bite when it has made

No bite disgraced it, for it has turned

For me a choice beyond meadows?

My chosen prize, leaving the basil spurned.