لم أنس غانيةً كأن قوامها

لم أنس غانيةً كأن قوامها

غصن عليه من الحلَى ورشانُ

غصن عليه من الحلَى ورشانُ

I have not forgotten a beautiful woman whose figure was like

I have not forgotten a singer whose figure

a branch bearing a wood-pigeon ornament.

Is like a branch laden with pearls and chrysolites.

ووليدها بين النهود كحارسٍ

ووليدها بين النهود كحارسٍ

في جنةٍ ثمراتُها رمان

في جنةٍ ثمراتُها رمان

And her infant between her breasts was like a guard

Her child between her breasts is like a guardian

in a garden whose fruits were pomegranates.

In a garden whose fruits are pomegranates.

قالت وقد قرأت كتاب صبابتي

قالت وقد قرأت كتاب صبابتي

من مدمعي فكأنه عنوان

من مدمعي فكأنه عنوان

She said, having read the book of my ardent longing

She said, having read the book of my youth

from my tears, as though they were its title:

With my tears, as if it were the title page:

سأعود إن نام الغلام وأدبرت

سأعود إن نام الغلام وأدبرت

ووعودُ كل غريرةٍ بهتان

ووعودُ كل غريرةٍ بهتان

"I shall return if the boy falls asleep," and she turned away.

“I will return when the boy falls asleep

And every naïve woman's promises are lies.

Though the promises of coquettes are lies.”