يد الليالي نستحق عطاءها

يد الليالي نستحق عطاءها

ومن شأنها المنع المردد والبخل

ومن شأنها المنع المردد والبخل

We deserve the bounty of the nights’ hand;

The nights' hand deserves its gift

Yet their way is repeated withholding and stinginess.

As withholding and stinginess are their nature

لقد قبحت معنى وراقت نضارة

لقد قبحت معنى وراقت نضارة

وقد يحسن المرأى وان خبث الأصل

وقد يحسن المرأى وان خبث الأصل

Indeed, they are ugly in essence, yet pleasing in their freshness;

Though beautiful in appearance, its meaning was ugly

And an appearance may be fair, even if its origin is foul.

What is seen could be fair though the origin vile

ومن سفه بالمرء ان بات باسط

ومن سفه بالمرء ان بات باسط

الرجاء بأهليها وليس بها أهل

الرجاء بأهليها وليس بها أهل

And it is folly for a man to spend the night extending

Foolish is one who hopes in its people

His hope toward their people, when no one there is worthy.

When among them are none worthy