توهمت قدما ان ليلى تبرقعت

توهمت قدما ان ليلى تبرقعت

عن الأعين اللاتي إلى حبها تنمى

عن الأعين اللاتي إلى حبها تنمى

I once imagined that Layla had veiled her face

I imagined that Layla had veiled herself

from the eyes devoted to loving her.

From the eyes that grow fond of her love.

وقلت بجهلي كيف يرجى وصالها

وقلت بجهلي كيف يرجى وصالها

وان حجابا دونها يمنع اللثما

وان حجابا دونها يمنع اللثما

And in my ignorance I said: How can union with her be hoped for

And I foolishly said, how can I hope for her affection

when a veil before her prevents a kiss?

When a veil prevents her kiss?

فلاحت فلا والله ما ثم حاجب

فلاحت فلا والله ما ثم حاجب

لها عن قلوب حولها أصبحت حوما

لها عن قلوب حولها أصبحت حوما

Then she shone forth—no, by God, there is no veil

But no! By God, there is no barrier

between her and hearts that now circle around her.

That keeps her from the hearts that orbit her.

وأيقنت أن لا حجب عن نور حسنها

وأيقنت أن لا حجب عن نور حسنها

سوى أن طرفي عن محاسنها أعمى

سوى أن طرفي عن محاسنها أعمى

And I knew for certain there was no veiling of her beauty’s light,

I realized no veil conceals her beauty's light

save that my gaze was blind to her charms.

Except my eyes that cannot see her graces.