وَرَنْدٍ إذَا مَا النَّورُ كَلَّلَ قُضْبَهُ

وَرَنْدٍ إذَا مَا النَّورُ كَلَّلَ قُضْبَهُ

وَأبْدَى بَنَانًا بِالعقيقِ مُخَتَّمَا

وَأبْدَى بَنَانًا بِالعقيقِ مُخَتَّمَا

And a laurel tree—whenever blossoms crown its branches

When the light crowns its stalk

and it reveals fingers ringed with agate,

And shows a structure sealed with carnelian,

حسبتَ عَذَارَى الزَّنْجِ خَضَّبْنَ أنْمُلاً

حسبتَ عَذَارَى الزَّنْجِ خَضَّبْنَ أنْمُلاً

وَنَظَّمْنَ بِالْيَاقُوتِ جِيداً وَمَحْزِماً

وَنَظَّمْنَ بِالْيَاقُوتِ جِيداً وَمَحْزِماً

you would think the maidens of the Zanj had dyed their fingertips

You would think the virgins of Africa had dyed their fingers with henna

and strung rubies around neck and waist.

And adorned their necks with rubies and necklaces.