سألته قُبْلةً فجادا

سألته قُبْلةً فجادا

ثم لوى خدّه وحادا

ثم لوى خدّه وحادا

I asked him for a kiss, so he granted it.

I asked him for a kiss, so he was generous

Then he turned his cheek and drew away.

Then he turned his cheek and refused

وقال أَخشى من الأعادي

وقال أَخشى من الأعادي

وأَتقي الأعْيُن الحِدادَا

وأَتقي الأعْيُن الحِدادَا

And he said, “I fear enemies,

He said, "I fear the envious

and guard against piercing eyes,

And avoid the sharp, jealous eyes

لأنّ خَدِّي من مُدَام

لأنّ خَدِّي من مُدَام

يكتُب فيها الِلئام صادا

يكتُب فيها الِلئام صادا

for my cheek is made of wine,

For my cheek is stained

in which the vile inscribe the letter ṣād.”

With the blemishes of blame and censure