فمن كان في طولِ الهوى ذاق سلوةً

فمن كان في طولِ الهوى ذاق سلوةً

فإنّيَ من ليلى لها غيرُ ذائقِ

فإنّيَ من ليلى لها غيرُ ذائقِ

Whoever, through love’s long years, has tasted consolation—

If anyone has tasted solace in love’s long course,

For he who persevered in passion's course has tasted solace sweet,

I, from Layla, have never tasted it.

I have tasted none of it in my love for Layla.

While I, for Layla's love, know naught but longing's bitter heat.

وأكثر شيءٍ نلته من وصالِها

وأكثر شيءٍ نلته من وصالِها

أمانيُّ لم تصدق كلمحةِ بارقِ

أمانيُّ لم تصدق كلمحةِ بارقِ

And the utmost I attained of union with her

And the most I attained of union with her

The most that I have gained from union with my love, in truth,

Was hopes that never came true—like a lightning flash.

Was hopes that never came true, like a flash of lightning.

Are hopes not yet fulfilled, swift as the lightning's fiery streak.