1. قلت للغادة التي حنن اللَ

    ه علينا فؤادها الرئبالي

    I said to the maiden—God had softened

    her lion-like heart toward us:

  2. يا مهاة الحمى وشمس الغواني

    طاب شرب الصبوح بعد الوصال

    “O oryx of the preserve and sun of beauties,

    how sweet to drink morning wine after union!”

  3. فتثنت وأنشدت وعلى اليا

    قوت من خدها حميم اللآلي

    Then she swayed and recited; upon the ruby

    of her cheek lay pearl-like sweat:

  4. قَلَّتِ الراح واعترى الكاس نقصٌ

    أفترضى ببعضها يا غزالي

    “The wine has run low, and the cup is less than full;

    so will you be content with some of it, O my gazelle?”

  5. قُلتُ يا منيتي وغاية قصدي

    ثلثاها يزيل كل وبالي

    I said, “O my desire and the goal of my pursuit,

    two-thirds of it will dispel all my misery.”