1. They say of Layla, "You have despaired," but it is not
Despair of Layla that is in me, but lacking patience.
١. يَقولونَ عَن لَيلى عَيِيتَ وَإِنَّما
بِيَ اليَأسُ عَن لَيلى وَلَيسَ بِيَ الصَبرُ
2. If only the days were right for you, O Layla,
And the times poured comfort for Layla after their evil.
٢. فَيا حَبَّذا لَيلى إِذا الدَهرُ صالِحٌ
وَسُقيا لِلَيلى بَعدَ ما خَبُثَ الدَهرُ
3. For I do love her, yet am hopeless -
Such love and hopelessness, how can my heart contain them both?
٣. وَإِنّي لَأَهواها وَإِنّي لَآيِسٌ
هَوىً وَإِياسا كَيفَ ضَمَّهُما الصَدرُ