1. Turn back, my guide, for I'm barred from you,
You purposefully turned away though my heart's tied to you,

2. With persistence in his eyelids bitterness lies,
While you are kohl in your cheeks that flows,

3. Parting made my hair turn grey, though you've spread
Beauty upon yourself - fresh, green branches they are.

4. Blessed be your sleep in the quiet night,
For our night is but tears and sighing.

5. Good fortune showed disdain so she's averse,
As if she's a gazelle in the sands chased away.

6. White, gentle, soon as she came into view
A moon appeared and swayed a bending branch.

7. She sways between blossoms, smiles a smiling
As if it's leather dried under the sun's pouring.

8. O fairest of people when your eyelids shine
With those cheeks, lips, and smooth neck.

9. The pact made our nights too short,
If only the pact remained, as was agreed.

10. Good too were zephyrs of your consent for us,
If only that life returned as was known before.

11. Days to relax and settle down there were,
On it the shade of prosperity spread.

12. The theater of life and joys flowed,
In its plains wildlife multiplied and cried.

13. It hunted for me with bonds of love does,
Adorned with eyes of love, outstretched.

14. There I'd see the sweet drinks being sipped,
And longing's anguish being fulfilled and soothed.

15. Roaming thus, and my heart roaming in youth,
No blame on you though you joke and tease.

16. Grey has marked my temples - I'm an old man,
No able limbs did fate form for me.

17. I'm bound to a care in a land that won't
Be lightened, with its associations and songs.

18. Nothing relieves my worries when they strike
Except the darkness, onto which the flames are heaped.

19. When a land's plants bloom, to me it doesn't
Reveal those who dwell in its wilderness.

20. My staying in a land the clouds grace,
Where my drinking of it is a painful gulp -

21. As for Abu l-Qasim, his gifts to me
Are bountiful, in all circumstances praised.

22. I've become a neighbor of his in bounty,
I reckon, of the enriching ones counted.

23. I've been allowed by him a green meadow,
From his fair palm a master, and faithful friend.

24. I boast we've found in his open-handedness
The utmost one can reach in bounty.

25. In his company for delegations a pasture,
And for the needy an open place for wishes.

26. Free with his hands, simple in his stand
In valor and bounty between men witnessed.

27. Capacious, when the day of clamor was straitened,
He pressed on when the horsemen were called.

28. I smell he was given succession to rule
By the inherited crown of Yazin's clan;

29. Girded by it a polished sword, its blades
Are Indian, ornamented, filed down.

30. In an impregnable mountain fortress he's protected
By chiefs of glorious Nubian descent.

31. Whites it has, of whom the ancients said:
"Be generous, be honored, and for your principles stand firm."

32. Like lions it moves them, stripped, poisoned,
Above them the coat of mail is tightened.

33. A people ennobled by an ally who praises them
when unharmed, and the distressed of the land seek refuge.

34. Give Abu l-Qasim, the hoped for, a full hand
In glory accompanied by length and support.

35. Still you remain in a splendid state, its star
In the celestial sphere, of the heights, is fortunate.

36. Happiest be with a festival's joy - you are its elation,
For us every day in your time is a feast.

37. Write to him the strung gems, so his name thereby
Every precious day something rare is made.

38. With your favor foil my enviers,
Since I'm only envied due to your grace.