1. وذات حسن وقدر

    قامت بمجلس بر

    And a woman of beauty and standing

    Rose at a gathering for charity,

  2. تستوهب القوم رفدا

    لأهل ضر وفقر

    Seeking gifts of aid from those assembled

    For people in distress and poverty.

  3. وكان فيهم أمير

    اصيب منها بسحر

    And among them was a prince,

    Struck by her enchantment.

  4. ما زال يرنو أيها

    اسير طرف ونحر

    He kept gazing toward her,

    A captive of her gaze and bosom,

  5. حتى دنت منه تزهو

    على غزال وبدر

    Until she drew near him, outshining

    A gazelle and a full moon.

  6. فجاد بالمال سمحا

    وقال همسا كر

    So he gave money openhandedly,

    And said again in a whisper:

  7. لحسن عينيك هذا

    يا فتنتي بعد شكري

    This is for the beauty of your eyes,

    O my enchantress, after my thanks.

  8. فاستضحكت ثم قالت

    واللفظ منها كدر

    So she laughed, then spoke—

    And her words were like pearls—

  9. وللشمال ادارت

    مطمورة المستدر

    And turned to the left

    The alms-collector’s money box:

  10. والان جد يا أميري

    للمعوزين بجبر

    And now give generously, my prince,

    To bring relief to the needy.

  11. فجاد مثنى ونادى

    غنمت شكري واجري

    So he gave twice over and cried:

    You have won my thanks and my reward.