يا صاح لست من الغرام بصاح

مادامت الأرواح في الأشباح

O friend, I am not one to complain of love’s anguish,

As long as souls are clad in human flesh.

أتلوم بالحدق المراض وطالما

تركت صحاح الناس غير صحاح

Why should I blame the languid, drowsy eyes,

When wholesome living you have all forsworn?

روحي الفداء لمن أبيت وشعره

ليلي وضوء جبينه مصباحي

My soul I sacrifice for one whose hair is night itself,

His brow a lamp that makes my darkness glow.

في خده وردي وفي أصداغه

آسي وفي وجناته تفاحي

In his cheek blooms my rose, his temples wear

My myrtle wreath, his mouth my apples sweet.

وبريقه المعسول لا أبريقه

راح المحب ونشوة المرتاح

Not from his cup, but from his honeyed lips

My fevered love has drunk deep draughts of joy.

فوحقّ ما في ثغره من لؤلؤ

رطب ومن مشمولة وأقاح

By the soft pearls his lips enclose,

By the sweet fruits his kiss reveals,

ووحقّ ما في قده ولحاظه

من ذابل لدن وبيض صفاح

By the soft down that clothes his cheek and throat,

I swear his loveliness shall never fail!