حَبَّذا الدَلالُ وَالغُنُجُ

حَبَّذا الدَلالُ وَالغُنُجُ

وَالَّتي في طَرفِها دَعَجُ

وَالَّتي في طَرفِها دَعَجُ

How lovely are coyness and coquetry,

The guide and charm are far preferred,

And she whose eyes are wide and dark,

And she whose smile allures with guile,

الَّتي إِن حَدَّثَت كَذَبَت

الَّتي إِن حَدَّثَت كَذَبَت

وَالَّتي في وَصلِها خُلُجُ

وَالَّتي في وَصلِها خُلُجُ

Who, if she speaks, tells lies,

Though false the tales her lips have stirred,

And whose affection wavers.

And restless heart knows no repose;

تِلكَ إِن جادَت بِنائِلِها

تِلكَ إِن جادَت بِنائِلِها

فَاِبنُ قَيسٍ قَلبُهُ ثَلِجُ

فَاِبنُ قَيسٍ قَلبُهُ ثَلِجُ

If that woman is generous with her favors,

Should she relent and grant desire,

Then Ibn Qays's heart is cool and content.

The love within would freeze like ice.

وَتَرى في البَيتِ سُنَّتَها

وَتَرى في البَيتِ سُنَّتَها

مِثلَ ما في البيعَةِ السُرُجُ

مِثلَ ما في البيعَةِ السُرُجُ

And in the house you see her face,

Her ways within the tent one sees,

Like the lamps within the church.

Like lanterns shining bright on feast.

حَدِّثوني هَل عَلى رَجُلٍ

حَدِّثوني هَل عَلى رَجُلٍ

عاشِقٍ في قُبلَةٍ حَرَجُ

عاشِقٍ في قُبلَةٍ حَرَجُ

Tell me, does a man

Now speak and tell if lover's kiss

In love incur any blame for a kiss?

Can e'er a suitor's heart appease?