VIII: Was it a pearl that was observed the…

Was it a pearl that was observed the nose jewel within,
Or was it a sparkling dew-drop upon the Arghowan's breast?

Musk-deer from far-off Khutan are both those eyes of thine,
That ever graze the spikenard and sweet basil upon.

I can discover naught on earth in comparison to thine eyebrows;
But I have found somewhat of similarity in the heaven's arch.

What connection is there between pearls and the teeth of the dear one?
Those are in the oyster's bosom--the teeth are in her mouth.

Because the poets were wont with thy lips to compare it,
The ruby became mortified, and fled back to the mine,

No one is capable of giving an explanation of their sweetness;
For the ambrosial nectar of Paradise is indigenous to thy lips.

When I look upon thy face, I am at the Almighty's works amazed,
Seeing that He preserveth thee safe and uninjured from its glow.

I have well examined the display of the flowers of the universe;
But there is no flower like thee in any one of its parterres.

In gratitude, that He hath bestowed such curls upon thee,
By them, draw out those immersed in the well of thy chin!

Those in thy presence, from modesty, know not what to say;
Whilst those absent, describe thee by metaphor and simile.

Close well, then, thine eyes, Aeabd-ul-Kadir! all things upon;
And then, within thyself, do thou the whole universe survey!