طالعتُه دون الصباح صباحاً

لما جَلَتْ غُرَرَ البيان صِبَاحَا

I saw him before dawn one morning

When the deceits of eloquence were unveiled

ولقد رأيتُ وما رأيت كحسنها

وجهاً أغرَّ ومبسماً وضَّاحا

And I have seen - and never seen - beauty like hers

A face more captivating, with a blossoming smile

عذراء أَرضعها البيان لبانَهُ

وأطال مَغدىً عندها ومَرَاحَا

A virgin nurtured on the milk of eloquence

Whose bed was prolonged in her presence and comfort

فأتت كما شاءت وشاء نجيبها

تُذكي الحجى وتُنعِّم الأرواحَا

She came as she pleased, and as her noble nature pleased

Kindling conversation and delighting souls

لا بَلْ كمثلِ الروضِ باكره الحَيَا

وسقى به زهر الكمام فَفَاحَا

Nay, like a garden in first youth

Watered, till the buds of chamomile burst open

وطوت بساط الشوق مني بعدما

نَشَرَتُ عليَّ من القبول جَناحَا

She folded the carpet of longing after

Spreading over me the wing of acceptance