نَجَوتُ وَنَفسي عِندَ لَيلى رَهينَةٌ

وَقَد عَمَّني داجٍ مِنَ اللَيلِ دامِسُ

I escaped, while my soul remains hostage to Layla

I escaped, yet my soul remains a hostage with Layla, as a dark and gloomy night enveloped me.

Enveloped in the dark night's pitch blackness

I plunged into the fray with a sharp, polished blade; for there is no good in a man who does not plunge into peril.

وَغامَستُ عَن نَفسي بِأَخلَقَ مَقصِلٍ

وَلا خَيرَ في نَفسِ اِمرِئٍ لا تَغامِسُ

I concealed my soul with the traits of a wise man

Had Layla but seen me in the early morning, with my companions and the battle lines I engaged,

No good is in a soul that does not conceal

Then Layla would have wept for me and wailed, and she would not have touched the robe I was wearing.

وَلَو أَنَّ لَيلى اَبصَرَتني غُدوَةً

وَصَحبِيَ وَالصَفَ الَّذينَ أُمارِسُ

If Layla were to see me in the morning

And my companions and the ranks with whom I socialize

إِذَن لَبَكَت لَيلى عَلَيَّ وَأَعوَلَت

وَما نالَتِ الثَوبَ الَّذي أَنا لا بِسُ

Layla would then weep for me and wail

And not attain the garment that I wear