وَجهٌa face مِنَthan البَدرِthe full moon أَحلىsweeter
وَجهٌ مِنَ البَدرِ أَحلى
وَمِنهُand than it بِالمَدحِof praise أَحرىmore deserving
وَمِنهُ بِالمَدحِ أَحرى
A face sweeter than the full moon,
A moon-like face more sweet than sweetness is
And more deserving of praise than it.
And worthier than praise of eulogies
طَرفيmy eye بِهِby him يَتَجَلّىis illumined
طَرفي بِهِ يَتَجَلّى
وَناظِرٍand a gazer يَتَحَرّىseeks
وَناظِرٍ يَتَحَرّى
My eye is illumined by him,
My eyes are dazzled by its sight
And a gazer seeks him out.
As the beholder's glance grows keen
بِمَنظَرٍwith a sight يَتَحَلّىadorns himself
بِمَنظَرٍ يَتَحَلّى
وَناظِرٍand a gazer يَتَجَرّىgrows bold
وَناظِرٍ يَتَجَرّى
With a sight he adorns himself,
Viewing a scene in splendour dight
And a gazer grows bold.
While he enjoys the rapturous scene
خَدٌّa cheek يُقِرِّadmits بِقَتليto killing me
خَدٌّ يُقِرِّ بِقَتلي
وَرِدفُهُand his rump يَتَبَرّىdisclaims responsibility
وَرِدفُهُ يَتَبَرّى
A cheek admits to killing me,
A cheek that would my death-doom seal
And his rump disclaims responsibility.
While still its dimple laughter cheers