ومهندٍ عضبٍ براحةِ أغيدِ

ومهندٍ عضبٍ براحةِ أغيدِ

في جفنه عضبٌ يَقُدُّ مَفاصلي

في جفنه عضبٌ يَقُدُّ مَفاصلي

Many a keen Indian-forged sword, in the palm of a graceful youth—

And a keen Indian blade in a supple youth’s palm—

while in his eyelid is a keen blade that severs my joints.

In his eyelid, a blade that severs my joints.

يسطو بذاكَ وذا فيغدو قِرْنُهُ

يسطو بذاكَ وذا فيغدو قِرْنُهُ

بهما صريعَ لواحظٍ ومناصل

بهما صريعَ لواحظٍ ومناصل

He strikes with that and this, until his adversary

He strikes with that one and this, leaving his opponent

is felled by both—a victim of flashing looks and blades.

Felled by both—by glances and sword blades.

ماضٍ كلا السيفين لكنْ لحظُهُ

ماضٍ كلا السيفين لكنْ لحظُهُ

أمضى وإلا فاسألنَّ مقاتلي

أمضى وإلا فاسألنَّ مقاتلي

Keen are both swords; but his glance

Both swords are keen, but his glance

is keener—or else, ask my vital spots.

Is keener—if not, then ask my vitals.