They told one of the Arab kings the story of Majnun and Layli and his disturbed state, that with perfect knowledge and eloquence he had wandered into the desert and lost control of his reason.

He ordered him to be brought before him and began to reproach him, saying: What defect did you see in the honor of the human soul that you adopted the ways of beasts and abandoned the company of people?

And many a friend blamed me for my love for her

Has he not seen her even once so that my excuse would be clear to him?

I wish that those who found fault with me

Had seen your face, O heart-ravishing one.

So that instead of citrons in your sight

They would unknowingly cut their hands.

So that the truth of the meaning would bear witness to the appearance of the claim. That is what you blamed me for.

The king desired to examine Layli's beauty to see what kind of appearance caused so much turmoil.

He ordered her to be found. They searched in the Arab quarters and found her and brought her before the king in the palace courtyard. The king looked at her appearance. He saw a dark-skinned, slender person. She seemed insignificant to him, because the least of his harem's servants surpassed her in beauty and were more adorned.

Majnun understood with his insight and said: Layli's beauty must be seen through the window of Majnun's eyes so that the secret of seeing her will be revealed to you.

Whatever passed of the mention of the sanctuary in my hearing

If the doves of the sanctuary heard, they would cry with me.

O company of friends, tell the one who blames

You do not know what is in the heart of the afflicted.

The healthy do not have the pain of a wound

Except with sympathy, I do not speak of my pain.

Speaking of the bee is fruitless

With someone who has never been stung in his life.

Until you have a state like ours

Our state will be a legend to you.

Do not compare my burning with another

He has salt in his hand, and I have it on my wounded limb.