1. O heart, do not die of sorrow, nor despair,
For the despair of people does not last forever.

2. You loved a girl whose eternity is assured, so seek
A way to what you will never attain one day.

3. You loved a girl whose face is like a gazelle’s
And whose charm enslaves every worshipper like the sun.

4. I have a burning liver and a tortured heart,
And copious tears that flow unceasingly in passion.

5. The shedding of tears by the passionately in love
Is the truest witness to what his heart harbors

6. Of tender feelings for gentle, delicate maidens.
Would that fate were kind enough to bring back

7. The past, but alas, fate does not repeat itself.
Brace yourself and sense the pain,

8. For your love will only grow, not wasting away,
And Layla has flown far beyond reach,

9. Turned from her pledge by the words of a slanderer.
Woe to you, Hatem, my tortured heart!

10. To God I complain of the length of these woes.