Do not be ambitious, for his heart's desire

لا تطمعن فما سلو فؤاده

1. Do not be ambitious, for his heart's desire
Is not within his capacity or preparation.

١. لاَ تَطْمَعَنَّ فَمَا سَلُوُّ فُؤَادِهِ
فِي وُسْعِ طَاقَتِهِ وَلاَ اسْتِعْدَادِه

2. Alas! The heart of a lover cannot heed aught but passion—
If you doubt this, just call out to him.

٢. هَيْهَاتَ أَنْ يُصْغِي إِلى غَيْرِ الهَوى
قَلْبُ المُحِبِّ فَإِنْ شَكَكْتَ فَنَادِهِ

3. He gave his love for Layla his all,
Except the place in his heart.

٣. أَعْطَى هَوَى لَيْلَىجَميعَ رُسُومِهِ
إِلاَّ مُنَيْزِلَةَ الَّذِي بِفُؤَادِهِ

4. If I could attain union with him, I would embrace him
Until I behold oneness in his countenance.

٤. لَوْ كُنْتُ أَمْلِكُ وَصْلَهُ عَانَقْتُهُ
حَتَّى أَرَى التَّوْحِيدَ فِي تَعْدَادِهِ

5. But I did not intend to witness his beauty
Except that I was annihilated and absent from witnessing him.

٥. لَكِنَّنِي مَا رمْتُ أَشْهَدُ حُسْنَهُ
إِلاَّ فَنِيتُ فَغِبْتُ عَنْ إِشْهَادِهِ