1. قمرٌ يطوف بكوكبٌ من خده

    شرق السنا اسنى من المقباسِ

    A moon makes the rounds, a star shining from his cheek,

    Radiant with light, brighter than a torch.

  2. قد قام بالاقداح وهي كواكبٌ

    فادارها شمسا على الجلاس

    He rose bearing cups that were stars,

    Then passed them round, sunlike, among the seated guests.

  3. وانقضَّ يطعن ليله بزجاجة

    في كفه اصفى من النبراس

    And he swooped down, piercing his night with a bottle,

    In his palm, clearer than a lamp.

  4. تزهو اذا انسكبت وزفَّ حبابها

    فتخال طاووسا زها في الطاس

    It gleams when poured and its bubbles race,

    So you fancy a peacock resplendent in the bowl.

  5. يسعى بها لدن القوام اذا مشى

    عبث النسيم بقده المياس

    He of supple stature hurries with it; when he walks,

    The breeze toys with his swaying form.

  6. شبهت منه عذاره وخدوده

    ورد الشقيق مطرزاً بالاس

    I likened his cheek-down and his cheeks

    To anemone blossoms embroidered with myrtle.

  7. من قاسني في الناس في حبي له

    قد قاس قيس لبينة بالناس

    Whoever compares me with others in my love for him

    Has compared Lubayna's Qays with other men.

  8. ان تلوي يا غريّد سالف عهدنا

    او تنسى ذكرانا فلست بناسي

    If you forsake our former bond, O Ghurayyid,

    Or forget our memories, I shall not forget.

  9. ملأت صدور الناس فيك وساوس

    اللَه في وسواسك الخناس

    Whisperings about you have filled people's breasts;

    Fear God regarding your ever-retreating whisperer!

  10. امخاتل الصياد من كثب رشا

    ومناضل الآساد ظبي كناس

    Can a fawn outwit the hunter at close quarters,

    And a covert-dwelling gazelle contend with lions?

  11. احجب نبالك عن قسي حواجب

    هزئت برمي النبل من اقواسي

    Hide your arrows from the bows of brows

    That scoffed at arrows shot from my bows.