فيمَ الوُقوفُ بِمَنزِلٍ خَلَقٍ

أَو ما سُؤالُ جَنادِلٍ خُرسِ

Why stop at a place not meant for halting,

Or question silent monks unable to respond?

عُجتُ المَطِيَّ بِهِ أُسائِلُهُ

أَينَ اِستَقَرَّت دارَةُ الشَمسِ

I spurred on my mount, questioning him:

Where has the sun come to rest?

فَعَجِبتُ مِنها إِذ تَقولُ لَنا

يا صاحِ ما هاذي مِنَ الإِنسِ

I was amazed when he said to me:

"O friend! What is this nonsense from a human?"

مَيمونَةٌ وُلِدَت عَلى يُمنٍ

بِالطائِرِ المَيمونِ لا النَحسِ

Meimouna was born under auspices of fortune,

With the fortunate, not unfortunate, bird.

مَقبولَةٌ لَبقَ القَبولُ بِها

لَيسَ القَبولُ بِها بِذي نُكسِ

She is beloved - favor suits her -

Her acceptance is not like one downcast.

غَرّاءُ واضِحَةٌ لَها بَشرٌ

كَالرَقِّ مُستَعِرٌ مِنَ الوَرسِ

Radiant, glowing, a cheerful expression,

Like a parchment, she gleams from whiteness.

زَمَّت فُؤادي فَهوَ يَتبَعُها

لِلغَورِ إِن غارَت وَلِلجَلسِ

She captivated my heart, so it follows her

To seclusion, if she hides, or company.