1. Had it not been for love and those enchanting eyes,
Our eyes would not have stayed up through the nights,

2. Nor would hearts have been struck by arrows from them,
Nor would breasts have been torn open in the mornings.

3. They are blameless eyes so do not be deceived by them,
For how many free hearts have modest eyes fettered!

4. Modest, but they are temptresses,
Hearts they may be, but they cause separation.

5. Sickness? Yes, but health for frenzy,
The breaking of eyelids, but the subduing of firmness.

6. By God, were it not for their sickness we would have had
No sickness, so they passed beyond us while we took no precautions.

7. They are the messengers calling each heart to love,
Inclinations, however passionate love decreed and commanded.

8. Her eyes called me to love Layla and so
My heart obeyed from a submissive hand.

9. May God watch over Layla! I am only her Qays,
Does she equal her Qays or are they different?

10.
If he is called Qays ibn al-'Amiri

11. Then his heart is not flourishing in his love of his nights.
Yes, he has made it the most flourishing dwelling place for her,

12. In him firmness has lodged next to passion.
A love he kept hidden though love's glance

13. Shows what hearts' secrecies have concealed.
Know that Layla is a sapling - though she ensnares,

14. The snares did not foster her like the saplings.
O Lord of the accomplished being accomplished

15. As Mansur became victorious while aiding.
A knight combining the two conditions like the full moon

16. Taking light from the sun - sight comes from it to eyes.

17. A staunch one, his feats in every virtue have glories,
Yes, and for every glory he has prides.

18. Prides in the excellent age are necklaces,
And a sword rending the necks of foes.

19. An advisor, but we see him in his glory
Pointed to, though like the sun he is manifest.

20. The scent of praise is like a breeze passing
Among the tresses of qualities - his scent remaining fragrant.

21. He appeared with traits requiring a describer,
But telling of his praise falls short before him.

22. Virtues of character and excellent qualities
Whose springs are blessed and sources pure.

23. A garden of dazzling glory, its planting wholesome,
Watered by a rain of virtue, abundant.

24. Its shade was luxuriant from the intensity of fertility,
And flowers of light took on wholesome color there.

25. Whatever registers of prepared glory you wish
Upon which the bird of glory proclaimed in song.

26. Whatever springs of might you wish therein
Flowing beneath gardens - and those are abundant.

27. Its water winding through, so it has barriers
There jewels of its water adorn them as bracelets.

28. The thirsty goes and drinks, listening,
Mouth to spout, and onlooker drinks.

29. Behold, he makes it grow with the sun of his wisdom
And rain of his munificence - he of abundant virtue.

30. From a noble branch it has the best offspring - excellent
Is the youth whom it produced and whose makeup is pure.

31. The branches indicate the origins, just as
The brilliant scions point to the lineage.

32. A youth who trained his mind with mathematics
And surmounted obstacles to thinking, confounding thought.

33. So the disobedient submitted to him and by them
He subdued - yes, he who aids Mansur is victorious.