كأنما الخالُ في مُحمر وَجْنتِها

كأنما الخالُ في مُحمر وَجْنتِها

وحوله جُدَرِىٌّ زانَ مشرقَهُ

وحوله جُدَرِىٌّ زانَ مشرقَهُ

As though the mole in the crimson of her cheek,

As if her cheek’s a rose in its rosy bower,

with pockmarks around it adorning its bright setting,

Around her neck the jewels at her throat a-glitter.

مَلْكٌ من الزنجِ قد وافى على شَرَفٍ

مَلْكٌ من الزنجِ قد وافى على شَرَفٍ

والرومُ قد أَضرمتْ نارا لتحرِقَهُ

والرومُ قد أَضرمتْ نارا لتحرِقَهُ

were a king of the Zanj who has arrived upon a height,

A negro king come to possess this palace-place -

while the Byzantines have kindled a fire to burn him.

The Greeks here kindling fire, consuming, eager.