1. نفسي الفداء لجيرة

    ذكراهم أرج يهبُّ

    May my soul be ransom for neighbors;

    Their memory is a fragrance that wafts.

  2. سارت بهم مجدولة

    تطوي حزون الأرض نجب

    Well-knit mounts carried them away,

    Noble camels folding up the earth's rugged tracts.

  3. أخذت تخب بركبهم

    والقلب أثر الركب يخبو

    They began trotting with their caravan,

    And the heart fades in the caravan's wake.

  4. يكبو وراء ظعونهم

    للَه قلبي حين يكبو

    It stumbles behind their departing caravan;

    God help my heart when it stumbles!

  5. الوجد اضرم في الحشا

    ومسيل قاني الدمع سكب

    Longing blazed within my breast,

    And a stream of crimson tears poured forth.

  6. ما راعني يوم الوغى

    عند اقتراع البيض ضرب

    On the day of battle I was not frightened

    By blows amid the clash of gleaming swords.

  7. بل راع قلبي أغيدٌ

    تستلٌّ من جفنيه قضب

    But a graceful youth struck fear into my heart,

    From whose eyelids swords are drawn.

  8. لو يعلمنَّ بصبوتي

    ضلَّت مدامعه تصبُّ

    If only he knew of my yearning,

    His tears would stray, pouring down.

  9. أورى الجوى بجوانحي

    جذوات إشراق تشبُّ

    Love's anguish kindled within my ribs

    Radiant embers that blaze.

  10. لم يخب فيه وقودها

    هيهات نار الشوق تخبو

    Their blaze has never faded there;

    Never shall the fire of longing die down!

  11. وافى على رغم النوى

    فارتاح للمشتاق قلب

    He came despite the separation,

    So the yearning lover's heart rejoiced.

  12. خوف الوشاة محجباً

    وله العقاص السود حجب

    Veiled for fear of tale-bearers,

    And his black braids served him as veils.

  13. وغدت عقارب صدغه

    عن ورد وجنته تذبُّ

    And the scorpions of his temple began

    To guard the rose of his cheek.

  14. كالنمل آس عذاره

    من فوق وجنته يدبُّ

    Like ants, the myrtle of his sideburns

    Creeps over his cheek.

  15. لم ينب مرهف لحظه

    يوماً وحدُّ السيف ينبو

    The keen blade of his glance has never failed

    On any day, though a sword's edge may fail.