يا حبَّذا زمنُ الربيع ودوحهُ

يا حبَّذا زمنُ الربيع ودوحهُ

قيدُ النواظر بل عقالُ الأنفسِ

قيدُ النواظر بل عقالُ الأنفسِ

Oh, how lovely are springtime and its spreading trees!

Oh, the springtime - what a wondrous age it was!

A fetter for the eyes—nay, a tether for the souls.

Our gazes were enchanted; our souls enthralled.

وافاك يبسم والغمامُ معبسٌ

وافاك يبسم والغمامُ معبسٌ

فاعجبْ لطلعة باسم ومعبّسِ

فاعجبْ لطلعة باسم ومعبّسِ

It has come to you smiling, while the clouds frown;

You came smiling, while the clouds loomed overcast,

So marvel at the sight of one smiling and one frowning.

Amazing it was to see a smile amidst gloom's pall.

جليت عرائسهُ فهمُّ قلوبنا

جليت عرائسهُ فهمُّ قلوبنا

واللهو بين مقوَّضٍ ومعرّسِ

واللهو بين مقوَّضٍ ومعرّسِ

Its brides were unveiled; the cares of our hearts

In their bridal finery, hearts raced anew,

And merriment—one's camp struck, the other's pitched.

As play carried on ‘tween pearl necklace and horse.

أنفاسهُ من عنبرٍ وسماؤهُ

أنفاسهُ من عنبرٍ وسماؤهُ

من لؤلؤٍ وبساطهُ من سندسِ

من لؤلؤٍ وبساطهُ من سندسِ

Its breaths are of ambergris, and its sky

Its breath was perfume, its sky a necklace of pearl,

Of pearls, and its carpet of fine silk.

Its carpet was made of the finest silk.