شَهِّيsweet المبسَمْthe smile ألْمَىdark-lipped
شَهِّي المبسَمْ ألْمَى
نَظْمa string يَاقوتْrubies بِجَوْهَرْwith pearls مْحَبَّبْbeaded
نَظْم يَاقوتْ بِجَوْهَرْ مْحَبَّبْ
Sweet of smile, dark-lipped,
My friend, gem-studded poetry
a string of rubies with beaded pearls.
Adorns cheeks, fire, and wine
فْin خدُّhis cheek والنَّارْand the fire والْمَاand the water
فْ خدُّ والنَّارْ والْمَا
شَفَقْa twilight glow فيin صُبحْdawn يظْهُرْappears ويُحْجَبْand is veiled
شَفَقْ في صُبحْ يظْهُرْ ويُحْجَبْ
In his cheek are fire and water,
Dawn's twilight appears and hides
a twilight glow at dawn, appearing and veiled.
Layla enchanted me, made me lovestruck
سَبَىcaptivated لَيْلَىLayla وسلْمَىand Salma
سَبَى لَيْلَى وسلْمَى
فسبحانْso glory be مَنْthe One who لُوfor him صَوَّرْfashioned وحَبَّبْand made beloved
فسبحانْ مَنْ لُو صَوَّرْ وحَبَّبْ
He captivated Layla and Salma;
Glory to Him who created and made beloved
so glory to the One who fashioned him and made him beloved!
Partial English translation: 5 of 6 Arabic lines translated.