1. Oh, the passion of my heart for the love of Layla
Not for Layla the deceitful, but for the noble Layla

2. And I lived in her love, while beneath me
Lived Qays in his love for Layla Al-Aamiri

3. I wander in love for Layla, so beneath me
Wandered as prisoner, Majnun with his love

4. They say happiness is in the love of Layla
If afterwards comes a gift to lead the way

5. So who can blame me if I say my soul
Is for Layla, not exempting any gift

6. I will commit sins and ride them
Cutting intention in them and bent

7. For my determination in them is not rejection
Nor is my purpose in them bent

8. I will place above the saddlebags of steeds
My thighs in the morn and eve

9. I travel by night's conscience in secret
And in the ostrich's nest, the camel litter's stuffing

10. And I forsake any sweet halting place
And head to every salty and alkaline spring

11. And I leave behind every roaring she-camel
Deep-voiced, not submissive or obedient

12. I abandon them eagerly, disappearing,
Yearning, not blamable or accusatory

13. When the son of Dayya descends upon their homes
He fears no sorrow or harm

14. And sometimes above a neighbor's wall
Layla smiled, giving it extension

15. Her litters grinned therein whenever
She nodded, inreconcileably

16. I made Suhayl behind her
And Na'sh in the western corner

17. While we sit on her flanks
Our eyes most affectionate gazes