كمhow often قدindeed أقمناwe provided علىfor حبlove of العذارthe down on the cheeks لمنfor one who
كم قد أقمنا على حب العذار لمن
يهواهhe loves it عذراًan excuse إذاwhen ماemphatic particle جاءhe came يعتذرhe apologizes
يهواه عذراً إذا ما جاء يعتذر
How often, for love of the down upon a youthful cheek, have we granted pardon to one who
How often, for love of cheek-down, have we provided one
loves it: “You are excused,” whenever he comes to plead his case.
who loves it with an excuse, when he comes to apologize.
وماand not لحيناwe reproached علىfor حبlove of اللحىbeards أحداanyone
وما لحينا على حب اللحى أحدا
قدindeed هامhe became infatuated فيهاwith them وقلناand we said الأمرthe matter يغتفرis excusable
قد هام فيها وقلنا الأمر يغتفر
Nor have we censured anyone for loving beards
And we have not reproached anyone for loving beards
who fell madly for them; we said, “The matter can be forgiven.”
who was infatuated with them, and we said, 'The matter is excusable.'
فكيفso how نغضىwe overlook علىover حبlove of الشيوخold men وهلand (introducing a question)
فكيف نغضى على حب الشيوخ وهل
يكونbe فيin الشيبgray hair حسنbeauty قطever ياO دررDurar (literally, pearls)
يكون في الشيب حسن قط يا درر
Then how could we turn a blind eye to love of old men? Can
So how can we overlook love of old men? And can
gray hair ever hold any beauty, O Durar?
there ever be beauty in gray hair, O Durar?
