FAZIL (BEY), Enderunlu

Englishwoman

O thou, whose dusky mole is Hindustan,

Whose tresses are the realms of Frankistan!

The English woman is most sweet of face,

Sweet-voiced, sweet-fashioned, and fulfilled of grace.

Her red cheek to the rose doth colour bring,

Her mouth doth teach the nightingale to sing.

They all are pure of spirit and of heart;

And prone are they unto adornment’s art.

What all this pomp of splendor of array!

What all this pageantry their heads display!

Her hidden treasure’s talisman is broke,

Undone, or ever it receiveth stroke.

translation: E.W.J. GIBB