شهدتُ بأنَّ الوردَ لو أُعطي المنى

شهدتُ بأنَّ الوردَ لو أُعطي المنى

تَمنَّى منَ الورَّادِ خدّاً مورَّدا

تَمنَّى منَ الورَّادِ خدّاً مورَّدا

I swear that, if the rose were granted its heart’s desire,

I testify that the rose, if granted its wishes,

among those who come to drink, it would long for your cheeks as a watering place.

would wish for a rosy cheek from the rose-seller.

ولو خُيِّر الرَّيْحانُ لاختارَ صُدْغَهُ

ولو خُيِّر الرَّيْحانُ لاختارَ صُدْغَهُ

وإنْ أصبحَ الريحانُ يحكي الزبرجدا

وإنْ أصبحَ الريحانُ يحكي الزبرجدا

And if fragrant basil were given the choice, it would choose his temple-lock,

And if the basil were given a choice, it would choose his sidelock,

though basil itself has come to rival emerald.

even though the basil has come to resemble peridot.

ولو قيل للأُفْقِ احتكِمْ قال دونَكم

ولو قيل للأُفْقِ احتكِمْ قال دونَكم

هلالي وشمسي واتركا لي محمدا

هلالي وشمسي واتركا لي محمدا

And if the firmament were told, “Render judgment,” it would say, “Here—you two may have

And if the horizon were told, 'Name your terms,' it would say, 'Take

my crescent and my sun; leave Muhammad to me.”

my crescent and my sun, and leave Muhammad to me.'