لَقَد ماتَ بِالبيضاءِ مِن جانبِ الحمى

فَتىً كانَ زيناً للكواكب والشهبِ

In the white city by the side of the fever,

Died a youth who was the adornment of stars and comets,

يَلوذُ بهِ الجاني مَخافةَ ما جنى

كَما لاذتِ العصماءُ بالشاهق الصعبِ

To him the offender would flee, fearing his own crime,

As chaste women take refuge with an unassailable strong man,

تظلّ بنات العمِّ والخال حولهُ

صَواديَ لا يروينَ بالبارد العذبِ

Around him always lingered the daughters of his paternal and maternal uncles,

Thirsty huntresses no cool sweet water could quench.