يا لَيلَةً قَطَعَ الصَباحُ نَعيمَها

عودي عَلَيَّ فَقَد أَصَبتِ صَميمي

O night whose bliss was cut short by dawn’s break,

Return to me, for you have struck my core.

ما إِن رَأَيتُ وَلا سَمِعتُ كَلَيلَةٍ

في غَيرِ سوءٍ عِندَ بَيتِ حَكيمِ

Never have I seen nor heard of a night like you,

In the home of the wise, lacking in wrong.

مِثلَ الَّتي نَكَبَت فُؤادِيَ نَكبَةً

تَرَكَت حَليماً وَهوَ غَيرَ حَليمِ

You inflicted on my heart such deep sorrow,

Leaving the forbearing bereft of forbearance.

يا لَيلَ يا ذاتَ البَهاءِ لِأَهلِها

إِنّي ظُلِمتُ وَلِمتُ غَيرَ مُليمِ

O elegant night, gift to your faithful,

I was wronged but did not avenge the wrong.

وَلَقَد ذَكَرتُكِ يا بَهيَّةُ بَعدَما

ذَهَبَ الكَرى بِمُجالِسي وَنَديمي

After forgetfulness took my gatherings and friend,

I remembered your beauty, elegant one.

فَعَلَيكِ يا لَيلَ السَلامُ تَحيَّةً

عَدَدَ النُجومِ وَقَلَّ مِن تَسليمي

Peace be upon you, O night, greetings equal

To the stars, though fewer than my prayers for you.