1. مر بيُمناهُ على طارِهِ

    يلمَسُهُ أحسنَ ما لمْسِ

    He ran his right hand over his tambourine,

    Touching it with the finest touch.

  2. وواصلَ النقْرَ على إصبعٍ

    يُغنيهِ لو شاءَ عن الخَمْسِ

    And he kept up the tapping with one finger,

    Which, if he wished, could serve him in place of all five.

  3. فحدّثوا عن قمرٍ مُشرِقٍ

    يلعبُ بالبرقِ على الشمسِ

    So tell of a radiant moon,

    Playing with lightning upon the sun.