1. My two friends, this place knows well
In God's name, linger a while here, then bid farewell

2. Don't you know that I gave my love
To Layla, and that the rope is from her, frayed

3. I ask you both, by God, now that you have judged
Against me, you have taken on the judgment, so judge

4. By my generosity to Layla, by my love and her stinginess
Toward me - ask her which of us has been more unjust

5. I yearn for her whenever the dawn breaks
Like the Christians' love for Jesus son of Mary

6. By God, by God I swear I speak the truth
Remembering you in my heart is nobler and greater

7. Your words are sweeter - know that if I attain them
To my soul than the coolness of a drink to the thirsty

8. By God, I did not love your love out of vice
Nor did I love your love to do wrong

9. The blamers have indeed blamed me much for you
And in what they have shown of blame, they were blamer

10. Layla sent her messenger to me
To come to her in secret when the night is darkest

11. So I came in fear and protected myself
Guarding against waking the enemies or sleepers

12. I stayed the night and she stayed - we had no worries
My friend, by God, nor did we violate anything forbidden

13. And how can I console my heart patiently about her
When she has caused an hidden illness in my heart

14. For if she called a dove, it would answer her
And if she spoke to a corpse, then it would speak

15. And if she touched a blind man with her palm
It would take away his blindness, soon he would return seeing

16. She is smooth-faced, capturing the forebearer with her face
Adorning herself with chastity and generosity

17. She is the one whose cure is for whoever has an illness from her
And from her the magician of all magic learned