1. مَن كَلَيلَى في الصَّبَايا

    في السَّجَيا والمَزَايا

    Who among the maidens is like Layla

    In character and virtues?

  2. بَعثَت لِي بالتحايا

    بَعثَت لِي بكِتَاب

    She sent me greetings,

    She sent me a letter.

  3. يا لُييلَى غِبتِ عنِّي

    وتركتِ الشَّوقَ مِني

    O little Layla, you have been absent from me,

    And left longing within me

  4. يَتلَظَّى غيرَ أني

    مُرتَجٍ وقتَ الإياب

    Blazing—yet I

    Hope for the time of return.

  5. حينَما عَنِّي صَدَّت

    هيَ للواجبِ أدَّت

    When she turned away from me,

    She fulfilled her duty:

  6. لِيَ مِن طَنجَة أهَدت

    خيرَ رَسمٍ وخِطَاب

    From Tangier she gave me

    The finest picture and letter.

  7. وخُذِي الطَّابعَ فَهوَا

    يَشتَرِي بُومبُوم وحَلوَا

    And take the stamp, for it

    Buys bonbons and sweets;

  8. وابعَثِي للسُّوقِ توّا

    وعلَى وجهِ الحِسَاب

    And send to the market at once,

    And on account.