فؤادي يحن لليلى الشريفه

حنين الخماس العطاش المضيفه

My heart yearns for noble Layla,

With the yearning of thirsty, distressed camels watered every fifth day.

كلفت بها في شبابي وشيبي

فياليت ليلى بحبي كليفه

I was enamored of her in my youth and my gray-haired years;

So, if only Layla were enraptured by my love!

تذكرتها والمطايا الجواري

حدتها إليها رياح لطيفه

I remembered her as the swift-moving camels

Were urged toward her by gentle winds.

وفي الركب والركب في مهلكات

تنص بهم يعملات وجيفه

And I was with the caravan, the caravan amid deadly perils,

As hardy she-camels sped them onward at a racing trot.

فهاج بقلبي رسيس جواها

لهيباً يسيل العيون الحفيفه

Then the lingering ache for her kindled in my heart

A blaze that made dry eyes stream.

ولما حدتنا حداة السرى

إليها فكان الصباح المضيفه

And when the drivers of the night journey urged us

Toward her, dawn became our host,

جزعنا إليها بباب السلام

ومنا قلوب إليها رفيفه

We crossed to her at the Gate of Peace,

And our hearts fluttered toward her.

فلاح لنا قبل تقبيلها

سنا برقع من خدود لطيفه

Then, before kissing her, there shone for us

A veil's radiance from delicate cheeks.

ولما ضممت أنا عطفها

لصدري فكانت لوصلي عطوفه

And when I myself clasped her side

To my breast, she tenderly welcomed union with me.

حبيبة قلبي وغياة سؤلي

نهاية آمالي المستريفه

My heart's beloved and the goal of my desire,

The utmost goal of my hopes that seek abundance.

أليلى سهرت عليك الليالي

إذا لاح لي النجم بت حليفه

O Layla, I stayed awake for you through the nights;

Whenever the star appeared to me, I spent the night its companion.