1. The most wakeful lover is he who blamed the one
Who bore it more patiently when they were blamed

2. And I have never seen the like of separation that assisted love
Or patience that overcame or evil that appeared

3. Especially the day we parted when there frisked
Gazelles racing the embroidered silk

4. Smiling through a lightning smile that filled the twisting sands
With a dewy shade that waters the bright thickets

5. Oh that day which was most woeful in its intimacy
Though it was most beautiful to behold

6. How many needs the living prevented being revealed
And tears restrained sighing in perplexity

7. Finding no release but to confide his secret
Nor solace in tears or their downflow

8. So hidden stores of tears like treasures pour forth
And secret loves kept hidden blaze abroad

9. Nor did I know that she who raved in ecstasy
For him or whom she loved asked or changed

10. Until we parted. Then when our camel litters
Lengthened we knew which of us had more care

11. And when the distance grew vast and longing took hold
And passion remembered its ardour and sighed

12. We made the leather cord beasts kneel in the gloaming
Bearing the burdens of packs and cages

13. And they went stumbling over the madnesses of the Jinn
By signs in the hands of a youth like a writ

14. They gave me comfort in longing, brought me near in departure
Sheltered me in my fever, and carried me in my need

15. They brought near my abode to the neighbourhood of Muhammad
Where my life was most plentiful and rich

16. I dwelt near a Jurhumite; whene’er I asked of him
He smiled or gave much or more

17. If I praised beauty, he showed it sincere;
If I said “This is best of Qahtan,” I met no denial

18. When Attikeh’s sons claimed their father
I found the Father of God the excellent guide

19. The signs of smooth nobility and freshness upon him
Like the dawn’s lightning flash shine from his honoured head of venerable age

20. In him the verse extols sincerely
Not the fabricated talk

21. You who have the frequented sanctuary, O son of Ma‘mar
When pilgrims hallow it and cry “God is most great”

22. And who meet the meadows of power and justice in security
And find the pasture of charity and righteousness green

23. You watered men from your palm, so it leafed and fruited
In every region, flowering and fruiting

24. Your hands beyond counting as pebbles
Gave wealth to all who walked the earth

25. O knot of virtues, O mountain of high place
O moon of time, O lord of the people

26. Highest of the world’s folk in rank, best of
Those ennobled in its regions and girded with honour

27. You embraced the heritage of glory on every side
Glory enough that you inherited long life

28. She of Mudar brought you forth, Khuwlah
Increasing you, and herself glorying the more thereby

29. The generosity of your nature and mark guided you aright
So that when you decided on an action, rightly

30. You recognized the place of good when you sought it
And were seeing with reason’s eye for virtue

31. You resolved on the kinsmanship of the glorious and praiseworthy
I see your mature judgment guided you where

32. You were safe from blame or taunt
Had you sought the like of yourself you’d not have found

33. Anyone, O Abu ‘Abdallah, of insight or right judgment
No house of Ma‘add and Ya‘rub

34. Has been named but you are higher and greater
When you resolved the matter none could speak against it

35. You singled out him who was most worthy and suited
Had there been higher than he in worth and traits

36. Yet none were more able thereat than you
O Muhammad, what heights have you not attained,

37. What summits have you not climbed?
God desired rectitude and bounty for you

38. And gave you the generous house with running waters
You accepted good pleasure—thanks be to God alone!—

39. Choosing the elect and preferring the excellent
You chose only the best man of repute

40. Foremost of the noble in judgment and ranking
Dependent on none but the sister of her people

41. Foster-daughter of Glory’s house amidst its lofty mansions
You descended only to a house of bounty

42. A neighbour to the sublime lion in his glittering den
You have filled its breadth with joy

43. Remaining prospered of quarters and whitened
Remaining secure in bounty and the bliss

44. Made yours in goodly sons you were promised
So I see you