1. بعثتُ بساكناتٍ طائراتٍ

    تفوت اللَّحظَ وهي بلا جَناح

    I sent forth motionless fliers,

    They outstrip the glance, though they have no wings.

  2. تطيرُ إذا المجاديفُ استُحِثَّتْ

    بها طيرانَ أجنحة الرِّياح

    They fly when the oars are urged on

    Within them, as the wings of the winds fly.

  3. كأنّ سوادَها في الماء يَحْكي

    سوادَ الأعين النُّجل المِلاح

    As though their blackness in the water mirrors

    The blackness of lovely, wide eyes.

  4. كأنّ مرورَها شَدَّا وعَدْواً

    مرورُ يديك في بَذْل السَّماح

    As though their passage, dashing and racing,

    Were your hands' movement in bestowing bounty.

  5. ولو أنّي استطعتُ بعثتُ رُوحي

    تَقِيك وقايةَ القدَر المُتاح

    And were I able, I would send my soul

    To shield you from the fate ordained.

  6. مَزجتُ بصفو ودّك صفَو ودِّي

    فقلبي منه دهري غير صاح

    I mingled my pure love with your pure love,

    So my heart remains drunk on it throughout my life.

  7. لأنّك إن نَبا سيفي حسامي

    وأنتَ إذا دجا ليلي صباحي

    For if my sword fails to cut, you are my keen blade,

    And when my night grows dark, you are my morning.

  8. عليك صلاةُ رِّبك من إمام

    مَطِير الجُود مَيْسور النِّجاح

    Your Lord's blessing be upon you, O imam,

    Who rains down bounty, whose success comes easily.