لَم أَنسَهُ لَمّا تَبَدّى مُقبِلاً

لَم أَنسَهُ لَمّا تَبَدّى مُقبِلاً

نَشوان يُخجِلُ قَدُّه الأَغصانا

نَشوان يُخجِلُ قَدُّه الأَغصانا

I never forgot him when he appeared, approaching—

I have not forgotten him as he appeared, drawing near,

Intoxicated, his graceful figure putting the boughs to shame.

Intoxicated, his stature putting the boughs to shame.

قاسٍ أَرانا مِنهُ لُطفَ شَمائِلٍ

قاسٍ أَرانا مِنهُ لُطفَ شَمائِلٍ

بَهرَ الأَنامِ بِحُسنِهنّ وَلانا

بَهرَ الأَنامِ بِحُسنِهنّ وَلانا

Though cruel, he showed us a graciousness of character

Hard-hearted, he showed us his gracious ways;

Whose beauty dazzled all humankind and won our hearts.

He dazzled mankind with their beauty, and grew tender.