خدّاه وردٌ وعارضاهُ

خدّاه وردٌ وعارضاهُ

آس ومن ريقه المدامه

آس ومن ريقه المدامه

His cheeks are roses, and his sideburns

Her cheek is a rose and her cheekbone a branch,

Myrtle; and from his saliva comes wine.

Her saliva is wine and her mouth a cup,

إذا بدا وانثنى وغنّى

إذا بدا وانثنى وغنّى

فالبدرُ والغصن والحمامه

فالبدرُ والغصن والحمامه

When he appears, sways, and sings,

When she smiles, leans, and sings,

Then he is the full moon, the branch, and the dove.

The moon, the branch, and the dove.

ما سلّ سيف اللّحاظ إلا

ما سلّ سيف اللّحاظ إلا

ناديتُ يا كاتب السّلامه

ناديتُ يا كاتب السّلامه

Whenever he unsheathed the sword of glances,

No sword has touched her glances except

I cried, 'O scribe of safety!'

I called, “O writer of safety!”