1. Though I am dead, yet I live
The day she revealed her love to me,

2. A girl from the tribe of Banu 'Amir,
My soul was torn like a cloak.

3. Her face turned sallow in its fairness,
Yet in that she's gentle and bright,

4. All eyes that see her among people
Are turned longingly upon her.

5. So leave off, for hardships have a limit,
And leave what fancy adorns.

6. Would that I knew, would that I knew,
If 'would that' and 'if only' bring distress.

7. At what hour did fate cut short my drink,
When dawn gleamed for the watchman?

8. The sparrow took unwilling shelter
With the hyena and the howler kept his tryst,

9. The cricket swept the pebbles with his arms
And kindled their fires, the nanny-goat.

10. With deadly poison like burning flame
Whose twigs the yellow noonday scorched.

11. And when the people of a town denied me,
The sand grouse of the valley knew me,

12. My she-camel knew my wrappings from me,
Though she is dumb save for her moaning.

13. The long night and Layla knew it -
Truly the night is but a covering for eyes.