ومعرض بالغصن في حركاته

ومعرض بالغصن في حركاته

تنل القلوب العفو من لحظاته

تنل القلوب العفو من لحظاته

And one whose movements put the bough to shame—

With a branch he sways in gentle motion

Hearts win pardon from his glances.

Touching hearts, earning their forgiveness with his gaze

عاطيته كأساً كأن سلافها

عاطيته كأساً كأن سلافها

من ريقه المعسول أو وجناته

من ريقه المعسول أو وجناته

I passed him a cup, as though its pure wine

I gave him a cup, as if its draught

Came from his honey-sweet saliva or his cheeks.

Was from his sweet saliva or his cheeks

حتى إذا ما السكر مال بعطفه

حتى إذا ما السكر مال بعطفه

وعنا بحكم الوصل في نشواته

وعنا بحكم الوصل في نشواته

Until, when drunkenness made his body sway,

Until intoxication pulled at his shoulders

And in his raptures he yielded to union’s rule,

And he inclined towards union in his joy

هصرت يدي منه بغصن ناعم

هصرت يدي منه بغصن ناعم

لم أجن غير الحل من ثمراته

لم أجن غير الحل من ثمراته

My hand drew a tender bough of his close;

I plucked a tender branch from him

I plucked only what was lawful from its fruits.

I picked no fruit but the permitted

وأطعت سلطان العفاف تكرما

وأطعت سلطان العفاف تكرما

والمرء مجبول على عاداته

والمرء مجبول على عاداته

And I obeyed chastity’s authority, out of honor;

And I obeyed the sovereign of chastity with honor

For a man is naturally disposed to his accustomed ways.

For one follows their ingrained habits