1. أخجلْت يا ورد خدود الحسان

    فاحمرّ منها ناضرُ كالدّهانْ

    You have put the beauties' cheeks to shame, O rose,

    So a radiant cheek among them reddened like red leather.

  2. ورُعْت يا فُل عيون المهى

    فأطرقت تطلب منك الأمان

    And you, O jasmine, have startled the eyes of the oryx,

    So they lowered their gaze, seeking safety from you.

  3. وزمّتْ الغيدُ شفاها لها

    لمّا انجلى ثغرك يا أقحوان

    And the graceful women pursed their lips

    When your mouth was unveiled, O chrysanthemum.

  4. ومالت القامات غضبانةً

    لما أنثنى في روضة غصنُ بان

    And the figures swayed in anger

    When a bān-tree bough bent in a garden.

  5. وأين شدْو الطير في مزهِرِ

    من مزهرٍ تشدو عليه القيان

    And how does birdsong amid blossoms compare

    With a lute to which the singing girls sing?

  6. فالورد ما احمرّت له وجنةٌ

    من ريبةٍ حاشا لورد الجنان

    For no cheek of the rose has reddened

    From suspicion—far be it from the gardens' roses!

  7. والأقحوان الغضّ لم يبتسمْ

    خبّاً ولم يدنس بمين اللسان

    And the tender chrysanthemum did not smile

    Deceitfully, nor was it stained by the tongue's lies.

  8. وقامة الأغصان لم يثنها

    كبر ولم يعطف بهن افتتان

    And the stature of the boughs was not bent

    By pride, nor did infatuation sway them.

  9. وذاك صدّاحٌ أهازيجه

    لا تٌشترَى بالتبر أو بالجُمان

    And that is a songster whose songs

    Cannot be bought with gold dust or pearls.

  10. لا يحرم الماهن من لحنه

    ما يسمع العاهل ذو الصولجان

    It does not deny the servant any of its song

    That the monarch with the scepter hears.

  11. ما أحسن الحسن وأحسن به

    من زينةٍ للناس لولا الحِسان

    How beautiful beauty is, and how fine it is

    As an adornment for people—were it not for the beauties!