1. يا طفلة الحسناء

    والدرة العصماء

    O little daughter of the beautiful woman,

    And flawless pearl,

  2. ما طرفك النعسان

    وخدّك الفتان

    Your drowsy gaze

    And your bewitching cheek

  3. إلا بقايا الأمّ

    ذات اللثات الحمّ

    Are but traces of your mother,

    She of the dark gums.

  4. أشبهتها في الدلّ

    وجفنها المعتل

    You resemble her in coquetry,

    And in her languid eyelid,

  5. وردفها الثقيل

    وخصرها النحيل

    And her heavy hips,

    And her slender waist.

  6. فاستوصفيها الحبا

    واستودعيها الربا

    So ask her to describe love,

    And entrust her to the Lord;

  7. فقد تناهى العمرُ

    ونال منها الدهرُ

    For her life has reached its limit,

    And time has taken its toll on her.

  8. يا زهرةً في العين

    ونغمة في الأذن

    O flower to the eye,

    And melody to the ear,

  9. وطفلةً في المنظر

    وغادة في المخبَر

    And a little girl in appearance,

    And a graceful maiden within,

  10. لا مسّك الغرامُ

    فإنه ظلّامُ

    May love never touch you,

    For it is a cruel oppressor.