1. بي غزال كم أصابت

    مُقلتاه من نفر

    I am smitten with a gazelle—how many have been struck

    By his two eyes among men!

  2. صاد قلبي بالتَّثني

    وانثنى عنّي نفر

    He captured my heart with his swaying,

    And turned away from me and fled.

  3. إن سطا بي فهو ليث

    أو رنا لي فغزال

    If he pounces on me, he is a lion;

    Or if he gazes at me, a gazelle;

  4. أو تثنّى فقضيب

    أو تبدّى فقمر

    Or if he sways, a slender branch;

    Or if he appears, a moon.

  5. فاق ظبياً في كناس

    وغصوناً في رياض

    He surpassed a gazelle in its covert,

    And branches in gardens,

  6. بعيون وقوام

    إن رنا لي أو خطر

    With his eyes and figure,

    When he gazes at me or walks with a sway.

  7. نرجس الأحداق منه

    لاح في ورد الخدود

    The narcissus of his eyes

    Gleamed amid the roses of his cheeks,

  8. بضيا وجه كبدر

    سار في ليل الشعر

    In the radiance of a face like a full moon

    That traveled through the night of his hair.

  9. كم نأى عني دلالا

    عابثاً بي في الهوى

    How often he drew away from me, coyly,

    Toying with me in love,

  10. عالماً أن التجنّي

    منه عندي مغتفر

    Knowing that unjust treatment

    From him is forgiven by me.

  11. إن أقم عُذري لديه

    ليس يرضى باعتذاري

    If I present my excuse to him,

    He is not content with my apology;

  12. وهو مرضيٌّ إذا ما

    قد أسا ثم اعتذر

    Yet he is accepted whenever

    He has done wrong and then apologized.