1. قد أودعته الناس أسرارها

    كأنه للسر نعم المقر

    People have entrusted it with their secrets,

    As though it were a fine repository for secrets.

  2. ألحانه تقبيل أهل الهوى

    وهمس من يحلو لديه السهر

    Its melodies are lovers' kisses,

    And the whispers of one who finds wakefulness sweet,

  3. ونوح محزون شكا همه

    يثير شكواه حفيف الشجر

    And the lament of a grieving one who voiced his sorrow;

    The rustling of trees stirs his lament.

  4. يزيدها البلبل من لحنه

    ما شاءه البلبل وقت السحر

    The nightingale adds to it from its song

    As much as the nightingale wishes in the hour before dawn.

  5. أسراره نجهل مكنونها

    يهتكها البدر إذا ما سفر

    We do not know what its secrets conceal;

    The full moon lays them bare when it shines forth.

  6. في هجعة الليل ومن سره

    يستولد الليل عقول البشر

    In night's slumber, and from its mystery,

    Night brings forth the minds of humankind.

  7. هل يعجب العقل إذا ما رأى

    في ظلمة الليل شموس الفكر

    Does the mind marvel when it sees

    Suns of thought in the darkness of night?

  8. في صدره يهجع أهل التقى

    ويسهر الصب يناجى القمر

    In its breast the devout slumber,

    And the lovesick lover stays awake, confiding in the moon.

  9. في صدره تضحك بنت الهوى

    وضحكها عنوان ذاك الكدر

    In its breast the daughter of desire laughs,

    And her laughter is a sign of that sorrow.

  10. في صدره يقتل من قد رأى

    في عيشه الضنك وذاق الضجر

    In its breast is slain one who has seen

    Hardship in his life and tasted weariness.

  11. يخاله السارق ثوباً إذا

    رماه تلقاه عيون البشر

    The thief takes it for a garment; when

    He casts it off, human eyes catch sight of him.

  12. ويجزع الصنديد خوفا إذا

    رآه ما بين القبور انتشر

    And the valiant man quakes with fear when

    He sees it spread among the graves.

  13. يموت في اليوم ويحيا به

    هل يهزأ الليل بحكم القدر

    It dies in the day and lives through it;

    Does night scoff at the decree of fate?