1. Alas! The days of youth and pleasures pure,
When parting came, how heavy was its lure!

2. Those camps are vacant, once so full of life;
Misfortunes dire those tents did then incur.

3. The vales are flooded by the rains that fall;
Herds wander grazing on the meadows floor.

4. Those haunts were filled with song and drink and mirth;
Pure whiteness mixed with every tint obscure.

5. You'd see, if you desired, a rosy cheek,
Ample, breathtaking, hair of raven hue,

6. Fair hips and waist so delicately weak,
A polished throat, and blushing cheeks in view,

7. Lips like pure honey and wine's crimson streak,
Perfumed with musk their charm would then renew.

8. I see you riding forth when dawn appears,
The caravan preparing to withdraw,

9. Your mantle flashing like the lightning's spears,
Outshining lamps that on your camel saw.

10. The morning breeze blows fragrance to your ears;
The doves are cooing, your departure flaws!

11. Oh curse the joys of youth that swift decay!
Curse the vain shadows that entice then flee!

12. Ah, once our days were filled with drink and play
'Midst charming songs and maids of high degree.

13. Though now we ruled o'er realms of disarray,
No revels slaked our souls' satiety.

14. We snatched a patch of night to robe our form,
Trailed tails of raiment, foolish in our glee,

15. Strolled through the garden as the stars adorn,
Where sparkling eyes and flowers enticed us free -

16. With upright youth whose speech brings joy like wine;
The sweetest music and the cup passed round.

17. Then barred from revels, we were told: "Decline!
For ye are aged, and such joys unbound."

18. I dyed excuse with the gray hairs that shine
And honed my spears, though strength in me was bound.

19. The nights, alas, taught well misfortune's wheel!
My star rose high, then sank into the ground.

20. Hast thou not heard how I was tried by all?
How friends betrayed, lovers proved unsound?

21. I met but envy or deceit withal,
Complaints from souls by grief forever bound.

22. As beasts some men gained riches, then pretense -
Though idiots they - to play the sage profound.

23. Perforce, if true friends are not heaven-sent,
I smile on fools, though knaves my soul would wound.

24. Alas, sincerity has largely spent;
Few with pure hearts and deeds are ever found.

25. When we avoid the scornful folk of vice,
Among the righteous our salvation's bound.

26. Abu Hasan is refuge for the wise,
His noble deeds shine luminous around.

27. His hospitality all needs supplies;
His generosity without compare is bound.

28. To his abode, the destitute arise;
Though lost, by him the hopeless may be found.

29. His halls expand, however small the floor,
When guests pour in and space seems tightly bound.

30. Who comes in need, leaves wanting nevermore,
For his concern o'erflows without a bound.

31. We find in his benevolence the key
To counter ills, a guardian ever sound.

32. Mankind has lost the path of piety;
His deeds, alas, shine not enough around.

33. Know they not blessings come by charity?
The miser gains no lofty place unbound!

34. A youth sincere is seldom seen by day;
At anger he reacts not rash, unbound.

35. His firm resolves, like swords in battle's fray,
Clash out a piercing note - a stirring sound!

36. His keen discernment cuts like blade held tight,
No common wit in him will e'er be found.

37. If from the mob I turned in sheer despite
And scorned the envious souls that would confound,

38. God honored Duhl in glory and in might,
Though thanklessness his name did oft surround.

39. The Azd's renown grew ever more polite;
Deeds beautiful, fame just - his feats redound!

40. We count kings when Duhl's clan enumerate,
Both youth and elder we assess and bound.

41. The lofty ones whose hands give freely forth,
Whose roots stand firm, their branches spread around,

42. They are the groves that shield from burning wrath
When gales blow harsh and ruin spreads unbound.

43. Their refuge fortifies when perils swarm,
Or if they seek, achievements will be found.

44. Their swords in every land protect from harm,
Drive off the unjust, foil the fool unbound.

45. They leave each rebel humbled in alarm,
And every hardy knave they have uncrownd.

46. Through them, the faith is guarded near and far,
Deep roots that never can be undermined.

47. The prophets they assist in every star,
As the first Muslims gave their faith its ground.

48. To Duhl they passed their glory from afar,
His efforts gained what had not been divined.

49. God reward Duhl and sons of Duhl's domain
With lasting bliss, and life prolonged be found!

50. May generations of their house remain,
From honor's light and beauty know no bound!