تأمَّلت من بعد الصبا حال وجنةٍ

تأمَّلت من بعد الصبا حال وجنةٍ

لغيداء لم أطمع بعوْدِ وصالها

لغيداء لم أطمع بعوْدِ وصالها

After youth had passed, I contemplated the state of a cheek

After youth, I beheld a garden, once blossoming,

Of a graceful woman, with whom I had no hope of renewing intimacy.

Whose union I had not hoped to see restored,

وكنت أخا سعدى فأصبحت عمّها

وكنت أخا سعدى فأصبحت عمّها

فهيهات لي جدّ بتقبيل خالها

فهيهات لي جدّ بتقبيل خالها

And I was Sa‘da’s brother, then became her paternal uncle;

Her brother I was, but now am as her uncle,

So far beyond my reach is the good fortune of kissing her mole.

Alas! Her cheek’s mole, I cannot kiss anymore.