1. وكأسٍ كأنَ المسكَ فيها حسوتُها

    ونازعنيها صاحب لي ملوّم

    And many a cup I sipped, as though musk were in it,

    and a much-reproached companion of mine shared it with me:

  2. أغرُّ كأنّ البدرَ سنّة وجَهه

    له كفل وافٍ وفرعُ ومَبسم

    radiant, as though the full moon were the likeness of his face.

    He has full buttocks, tresses, and a smiling mouth.

  3. يُضيء دُجى الظلماء رونَق خدهِ

    وينجابُ عنه الليل والليلُ مظلم

    The luster of his cheek illumines the night's darkness,

    and night draws away from him, though the night is dark.

  4. وثديانِ كالحنقينِ والمتنُ مدمجٌ

    وجيد عليه نَسقَ درٍّ منظَّم

    And two breasts like two small caskets [reading uncertain], and a firm-knit back,

    and a neck bearing a row of well-strung pearls,

  5. وبطن طواه اللَه طيّا ومنطِقٌ

    رخيمٌ وردِفٌ نيطَ بالحقو مفأم

    and a belly God has drawn in tight, and a voice

    soft and sweet, and a plump rump attached to the waist.

  6. به تَبَلتني واستبتني وغادرت

    لظىً في فؤادي نارُها تتضرّم

    With that she made me lovesick, took me captive, and left

    a blaze within my heart, its fire flaring.

  7. أبيتُ بها أهدي إذا الليلُ جنّني

    وأصبح مبهوتاً فما أتكلّم

    I pass the night raving over her when night enfolds me,

    and at dawn I am dumbfounded, unable to speak.

  8. فمن مُبلغُ قومي الدنا أن مُهجتي

    تُبين لئن بانت ألا تتلوم

    Then who will tell my close kin that my life's blood

    will depart if she departs—will she not linger?

  9. وعهدي بها واللَه يُصلح بالها

    تجود على مَن يُشتهيها وتُنعم

    And I have known her—may God set her affairs right—

    to give freely to whoever desires her and bestow favors.

  10. فما بالُها ضنَّت عليّ بودّها

    وقلبي لها يا قوم عانٍ متيّم

    Why, then, has she begrudged me her affection,

    while my heart, my people, is her captive, enslaved by love?