يا أيها الصَّلْفُ المُدِلُّ بِحُسْنِهِ

يا أيها الصَّلْفُ المُدِلُّ بِحُسْنِهِ

جُدْ للمُحِبِّ فَأَنْتِ أهْلُ الجوْدِ

جُدْ للمُحِبِّ فَأَنْتِ أهْلُ الجوْدِ

O haughty one, proud of your beauty,

O gentle breeze, so alluring in your grace,

be generous to your lover, for generosity befits you,

Be generous to your lover, as generosity becomes you,

بقبولِ مِضْرَابٍ حَكَاكَ بلُطْفِهِ

بقبولِ مِضْرَابٍ حَكَاكَ بلُطْفِهِ

حَسَنُ التَّعطُّفِ مُخْطَفٍ مَقْدُودِ

حَسَنُ التَّعطُّفِ مُخْطَفٍ مَقْدُودِ

by accepting a plectrum that imitates you in its delicacy—

By accepting the stroke of one who addressed you with kindness,

gracefully curved, slender-waisted, finely shaped,

Graceful acceptance is the mark of the noble and virtuous.

متشبهٌ بك حين تخطِرُ لاهِياً

متشبهٌ بك حين تخطِرُ لاهِياً

وَتَمِيْسُ بين مجاسدٍ وعُقُودِ

وَتَمِيْسُ بين مجاسدٍ وعُقُودِ

resembling you as you strut playfully

The carefree resemble you when you flutter playfully

and sway amid robes and necklaces.

And touch softly amidst pillows and knotty cushions,

لا تُشْمِتَنّ بي الحسود بِرَدِّهِ

لا تُشْمِتَنّ بي الحسود بِرَدِّهِ

يُفْدِيْكَ كلُّ مُنَافِسٍ وَحَسُودِ

يُفْدِيْكَ كلُّ مُنَافِسٍ وَحَسُودِ

Do not let the envious gloat over me by rejecting it;

Do not let the envious gloat at my rejection,

may every rival and envier be your ransom.

Every rival and envious one makes amends for you.

لم أُهْدِهِ لك يا مُناي وإنَّما

لم أُهْدِهِ لك يا مُناي وإنَّما

أهديتُهُ متقرِّباً للعُودِ

أهديتُهُ متقرِّباً للعُودِ

I did not give it to you, O my heart’s desire; rather,

I did not gift it to you, oh my comfort, but rather,

I gave it seeking the oud’s favor.

I gifted it growing closer to the lute.