قَد حالَ مِن دونِ لَيلى مَعشَرٌ قَزَمٌ

قَد حالَ مِن دونِ لَيلى مَعشَرٌ قَزَمٌ

وَهُم عَلى ذاكَ مِن دوني مَواليها

وَهُم عَلى ذاكَ مِن دوني مَواليها

A band of vile men has come between me and Layla.

A multitude of stunted men have come between me and Layla,

Yet, for all that, they—not I—are her kinsmen.

Though they, unlike me, are her loyal suitors,

وَاللَهُ يَعلَمُ أَنّي إِن نَأَت حِجَجاً

وَاللَهُ يَعلَمُ أَنّي إِن نَأَت حِجَجاً

أَو حِيلَ مِن دونِها أَن لَستُ ناسيها

أَو حِيلَ مِن دونِها أَن لَستُ ناسيها

And God knows that, even if she is far away for years,

And God knows well that if I devise stratagems

or the way to her is barred, I shall not forget her.

Or plot to gain access without her leave, I'll not forget her.