1. I found you knew not of the ruined abodes of Dimna,
You passed by their ruins, not turning aside.

2. Yes, tears flowed copiously as though
Your eyelids were a fence the wire of which was intertwined.

3. The nights of Layla are still as though they
Were a confused noise in Thi al-Dathayn, vociferous and boiling.

4. A well-guarded virgin girl who has not had her veil removed,
And an overflowing musk-pod at the end of night saturated.

5. As though her sides and the coolness of her resting place
Were gently whispering canes in the torrent wildly murmuring.

6. She sings gently with a melodious trilling
Of a bereft nightingale, moaning and complaining.

7. I remembered her after distance had come between us,
Which was a rising of the Pleiades in the Hijaz and was veiled.

8. So I am with Layla after distance has come between us,
Beyond her is the darkness of night, so I am prevented.

9. Leave this, but do you see the opinion of an aggressive assailant
Who fails against us with threats and makes a hullabaloo?

10. You have lied, and by God's house, you will not take it
O sons of an obstinate woman, until you depart and travel by night.

11. Until you see the tall, fully armed camels
By the light of a fire or in the morning adorned.

12. Until you see the spotted camel-litters as though
An embroiderer had embroidered them with saffron.

13. Until you see the horsemen in mail-coats as though
They had prayed the dawn prayer which turns hearts.

14. Suppressed rage showed upon their bodies
When they donned what David used to weave.

15. There, if you overcome, you will be its lord,
And if the obstacles wear you down, you will become bent.

16. Obstacles of kinship or fighting a tribe
And the custom of some of wronging with wrong, enraged.

17. And I have not been devoid of gaining a tribe's wealth
Or a beloved, surely matters become relieved.

18. So I am not the protector of falsehood if you seek it,
And your property with me is enveloped in darkness.

19. When you meet me, do not meet with a single doubt
If one fabricates lies one day, blazing hot.

20. With me are well-aimed swords like carnelian,
With them are traces on the two quarrelers impressed.

21. And a dark, straight sword as though its brandishing
Were the strokes of a sturdy, water-polished club,

22. And a white, broad sword smiling
For it beneath the train of dawn in the meadow flashed.

23. So woe to you, from an excellent man of quick temper
With whom the camels of Ma'aqil wildly stampede.

24. And she knew that you and I in battle
When the dust clouds gathered, listened to reconciliation being rejected.

25. And a canopy of dust enveloped our two forms
While your patience on that day failed you.

26. So beware her gifts for I am their protector
And the most hideous of what is added to speech is stuttering prattle.