1. يقرُّ بعيني أن أرى الزهر يانعاً

    وقد نازع المحبوبَ في الحسن وصفَهُ

    It delights my eye to see the flowers in full bloom,

    Already contesting the beloved's claim to beauty.

  2. وما أبصرت عيني كزهر قَرَنْفُلِ

    حكى خدَّ من يَسْبي الفُؤادَ وعَرْفَهُ

    My eye has never seen the like of a carnation's bloom,

    Mirroring the cheek and fragrance of him who takes the heart captive.

  3. تمنَع في أعلى الهضاب لمجتنى

    تمنّعَهُ منّي إذا رمتُ إِلْفَهُ

    It held aloof from the gatherer on the hilltops,

    As he holds aloof from me when I seek his intimacy.

  4. وفي جبل الفتح اجتَنَوْهُ تفاؤلاً

    بفَتْح لباب الوصل يمنح عَطْفَهُ

    And on Mount al-Fath they plucked it as a good omen

    Of union's door opening to bestow his affection.

  5. وما ضرَّ ذاك الغصنَ وهو مرنَّحٌ

    إذا ما ثَنى نحو المتيَّمِ عِطْفَهُ

    And what harm would it do that swaying bough

    If ever it bent its side toward the love-stricken one?