ووردي خد نرجسي لواحظ

ووردي خد نرجسي لواحظ

مشايخ علم السحر عن لحظه رووا

مشايخ علم السحر عن لحظه رووا

And a rose-cheeked one with narcissus-like glances—

His rosy cheek puts narcissus to shame

The masters of magic's lore transmitted it from his gaze.

Wise men of sorcery are amazed by his glance

وواوت صدغيه حكين عقارباً

وواوت صدغيه حكين عقارباً

من المسك فوق الجلنار قد التووا

من المسك فوق الجلنار قد التووا

And the wāw-shaped curls at his temples resembled scorpions,

His temples narrate scorpions

Made of musk, coiled above pomegranate blossom.

That have curled up from musk atop his cheeks

ووجنته الحمرا تلوح كجمرة

ووجنته الحمرا تلوح كجمرة

عليها قلوب العاشقين قد اكتووا

عليها قلوب العاشقين قد اكتووا

And his red cheek gleams like an ember;

His red lips gleam like embers

Upon it the hearts of lovers have been seared.

On which the hearts of lovers have been seared

ودي له باق ولست بسامع

ودي له باق ولست بسامع

لقول حسود والعواذل إذ عووا

لقول حسود والعواذل إذ عووا

My love for him endures, and I do not listen

My hand holds a bouquet, and I'm not listening

To an envier's words or the reproachers when they howl.

To the words of envious and slanderers as they roar

ووالله ما أسلو ولو صرت رمة

ووالله ما أسلو ولو صرت رمة

فكيف وأحشائي على حبه انطووا

فكيف وأحشائي على حبه انطووا

And by God, I will not cease loving, even if I become a decayed corpse;

By God I shall not relent even if I'm blamed

So how could I, when my entrails have folded around love for him?

How could I when my heart has curled up with his love?