فَلا تَعجِلا يا صاحِبَيَّ تَحَيَّةَ

فَلا تَعجِلا يا صاحِبَيَّ تَحَيَّةَ

لِلَيلى وَلَيلَى لِلقُلوبِ قَتولُ

لِلَيلى وَلَيلَى لِلقُلوبِ قَتولُ

So do not hurry on, my two companions—offer a greeting

So, my two companions, do not rush your greeting

to Layla; and Layla is a slayer of hearts.

To Layla—for Layla is a slayer of hearts.

فَأَلمِم عَلى لَيلى فَإِنَّ تَحيَّةً

فَأَلمِم عَلى لَيلى فَإِنَّ تَحيَّةً

لَها قَبلَ نِصِّ الناعِجاتِ قَليلُ

لَها قَبلَ نِصِّ الناعِجاتِ قَليلُ

Then stop awhile at Layla’s, for a greeting

So stop by Layla, for a greeting

to her, before the swift she-camels are urged onward, is a small thing.

To her, before the swift she-camels are urged on, is little enough.

فَإِنَّكَ لا تَدري إِذا العيسُ شَمَّرَت

فَإِنَّكَ لا تَدري إِذا العيسُ شَمَّرَت

بِنا أَتَلاقٍ أَو عِدىً وَشُغولُ

بِنا أَتَلاقٍ أَو عِدىً وَشُغولُ

For you do not know, when the pale camels make ready

For you do not know, when the pale camels hasten

to carry us away, whether reunion awaits—or foes and preoccupations.

With us, whether reunion awaits, or separation and cares.