فَيا لَكَ من لَيل تمتَّعت طولَه

فَيا لَكَ من لَيل تمتَّعت طولَه

وَهل طائِف من نائِم مُتمتِع

وَهل طائِف من نائِم مُتمتِع

So, what a night—I enjoyed its whole length!

O what a night whose length you enjoyed

And can a sleeper find enjoyment in a dream-phantom?

Is there anyone sleeping who enjoys himself?

نعم ان ذا شجو مَتى يَلق شَجوه

نعم ان ذا شجو مَتى يَلق شَجوه

وَلَو نائِماً مُستَعتِب أَو مُوَدِّع

وَلَو نائِماً مُستَعتِب أَو مُوَدِّع

Yes, indeed: one burdened with longing, whenever he meets the one he longs for,

Yes, when does a melancholic find his melancholy,

Even asleep, seeks reconciliation or bids farewell.

Even if asleep, bidding farewell or taking leave.

لَهُ حاجَة قَد طالَما اِسرَّه

لَهُ حاجَة قَد طالَما اِسرَّه

مِن الناسِ في صَدرِ بِها يَتَصَدَّع

مِن الناسِ في صَدرِ بِها يَتَصَدَّع

He has a desire he has long kept secret

He has a need that has long distressed him

From people, in a breast that is rent by it.

Among the people, in his heart with which he is split

تَحملتُها طول الزَمانِ لعلَّها

تَحملتُها طول الزَمانِ لعلَّها

يَكون لَها يَوماً من الدَهرِ منزع

يَكون لَها يَوماً من الدَهرِ منزع

I have borne it all this time, in hopes that it

I have borne it throughout time perhaps

Might one day, in the course of time, find a way out.

One day it will have a relief from fate

وَقد قَرَعت في ام عمرو لي العَصا

وَقد قَرَعت في ام عمرو لي العَصا

قَديماً كَما كانَت لِذي الحُلم تقرَع

قَديماً كَما كانَت لِذي الحُلم تقرَع

And the staff was struck for me concerning Umm ʿAmr

And it struck Umm 'Amr for me the stick

Long ago, as it used to be struck for one of sound judgment.

Anciently as it used to strike the forbearing one.