لَيلٍ كَفَرعِ الخودِ تَخلُفُهُ ضُحىً

لَيلٍ كَفَرعِ الخودِ تَخلُفُهُ ضُحىً

زَهراءُ مِثلَ عَوارِضٍ زَهراءِ

زَهراءُ مِثلَ عَوارِضٍ زَهراءِ

A night like a young beauty’s tresses, followed by a forenoon,

The night fades away like the cheek of a child

Radiant as a fair woman’s teeth revealed in a smile,

Blossoming at dawn rosy as the blush on a cheek

عَبِقَت بِأَنفاسِ الرِياضِ كَأَنَّما

عَبِقَت بِأَنفاسِ الرِياضِ كَأَنَّما

نَفَضَ الرَقيبُ غُلالَةَ الدَلتاءِ

نَفَضَ الرَقيبُ غُلالَةَ الدَلتاءِ

Fragrant with the gardens’ breath, as though

Fragrant with the breath of gardens as though

The watchman had shaken out the wanton woman’s sheer gown.

The keeper had shaken out the folds of a robe