1. My night in Damascus, on a bed
Whose ripples were made by an ocean of sorrows,

2. I met a night whose color was like the gazelle’s eye,
And cares like the owl’s in the shrubs.

3. And yearning like embers flaming in the heart,
Like coals among ribs, so hot and burning.

4. The blood irrigated every sharp sword, unsheathed,
And satiated every erect spear, unfailing.

5. The renowned knight alighted, so the knights
Became to him like feathers blown in the wind.

6. He who is called Father of the Downpours could now be called
As if Father of Tribes were someone else.

7. Al-Husayn is forgotten, though he was called
The flower of heroes or rain for the thirsty.

8. They met him wearing a coat of close-knit mail
With hot red borders, delicate workmanship.

9. On their heads were fires from it.
And their hands were like moths’ wings.

10. The interior of their skulls were like water
Returned by the blender to quench their thirst.

11. They turned away stunned, without life or spirit,
Bewildered, crazed, minds lost and scattered.

12. He whose sword terrified the timid lions
So they shunned its flame, fearing being burned.

13. Some horses colored others with blood.
No weakness to be found in their attack.

14. His only rein was that no multitude could restrain him
When his army turned away and withdrew.

15. In him the twisting of the blades was like
The twisting of dry stalks among the saltwort.

16. Better the souls of the robbers be taken
Than the robbers take the clothes off the people’s backs.

17. My mount shares my regret when we halt
Though it did not share in the attack.

18. Before the striking of forelegs and behind the striking,
The ewes are distinguished from the rams.

19. O Ocean of oceans I complain to none but You,
O King of kings, I dissimulate to none but You.

20. It is as though You look into every heart
So nothing is concealed from You, wherever it hides.

21. Shall I be patient when You did not withhold
Anything, nor did You address me with gentle words?

22. To me among all leaders You are like the old eagle
Among birds, from the time of the sand grouse.

23. I hope You won’t call me a liar out of fear,
Nor do I fear that You’ll disappoint me out of hope.

24. You lead every horse that you ride,
Even if they were leaping goats on the hillside.

25. I see people in darkness but You are the light,
And I am one of them, drawn to You.

26. I suffered with them - the roses suffer
From thorns - though they’re more fit for saltwort!

27. When you joke on nights of insomnia,
And fatten on ashes around you,

28. Word came of the Commander, and it was said "Attack!"
I said "Yes, even if they flee to Sas!"

29. A stubborn lout leads them into pitched battle
Whose fighting favors him as does ill-temper.

30. I mounted my short-haired camel mare then she flew,
Bearing me on her back though she was not broken.

31. My spear removes every bird of prey
From her, though she clash with them.

32. Even if she were mangled, she would carry to me
A message about it, conveying all she bore.

33. When his battle positions were mentioned
To one who had met them, he did not cower.

34. It removes the fear of the patient one from him
And distracts the shivering one from shivering.

35. No yearning was found like my yearning,
No withdrawal like my withdrawal.

36. I set out to You in search of glories
While my peers set out in search of livelihood.