1. How excellent and beautiful is what she took, if only
I could see her and give all my clothes every day

2. If only she knew that I am her friend
Yet I am the one crying over her with my weeping

3. My dear, if you could see me and her family with me
I have a presence, though you left me lonely

4. When I entered the neighborhood I left my fire ablaze
With a chain that I pull along, dragging my cloak

5. I lean my head for a while as an old woman
Leads me begging, walking ahead of me

6. The boys stared at me and gathered around
They set the dogs on me snarling

7. I looked at Layla and could not hold back tears
I said “Have mercy on my weakness and what has befallen me”

8. She stood up briskly and the women around her
Walked towards me when they heard my crying

9. You who torment me, if not for you I would not be a beggar
Wandering from door to door naked among the people

10. And a woman said “Have mercy on his youth”
I said “Yes, have mercy on my youth”

11. “What has happened, why does he walk bent over weeping?”
I said “I only weep for her, not for what has happened to me”

12. Layla’s cousins, who do you have but me?
I will sacrifice my life for Layla

13. The slanderers have only increased my patience
And the critics have only increased my enemies

14. O Layla’s family, may God give you many more like her
So you may be generous to me with them

15. I have not touched the ground without remembering her
Else I find her scent on my clothes