كانhe was غزالاa gazelle فشوهوهthen they disfigured him
كان غزالا فشوهوه
حتىuntil غداhe became طعمةprey for الذئابthe wolves
حتى غدا طعمة الذئاب
He was a gazelle; then they disfigured him,
Until he became prey for wolves.
حجبتI veiled طرفيmy gaze وملتand I turned عنهaway from him
حجبت طرفي وملت عنه
مذsince صارhe became وجهاa face بلاwithout حجابa veil
مذ صار وجها بلا حجاب
I veiled my gaze and turned away from him,
Since he became a face without a veil.
عاشرhe consorted with منone who لوif يمسhe were to touch ثوبيmy garment
عاشر من لو يمس ثوبي
لاحتجتI would need للماءfor water والترابand dust
لاحتجت للماء والتراب
He consorted with one who, were he to touch my garment,
Would leave me needing water and dust.