1. Whether poetry is improvised or premeditated
With eloquence lies its inner splendid essence

2. With whatever words I adorn you, O noble one
Without its adornment, time would be idle

3. Neither the sun's attire that I aspire
Nor the stars' array is the work of my hands

4. My two companions are keen in our discourse
Taking my talk of angels and states

5. Al-Mu'ayyad's army extracts from its creatures
That kings are a kind of madness

6. The difference between them in every known thing
Is like the difference between flaw and perfection

7. Ask virtues about him, how you recognize him
Or ask the sheaths of white swords and spears

8. One whose mind in every problem
When stranded on bald honey

9. Show insight, impatience does not diminish him
Nor does haste's affliction recur to him

10. For that forbearance, enemies have learned
Havoc that blocks the path of safety with terror

11. The wise advisor, his schemes buzzed around them
So the intoxication of drunkenness flew off them

12. He permits us whenever we speak his praises
And the dawn is naked, needing no garments

13. For God, the altars from a month in which you ascended
Until you met the sun in Aries

14. Between the light of your glowing forehead
And the excellence of your composed nature

15. And attainor of the lion's boldness willingly by my hand
Whether it prevails over the horn or prevails over stinginess

16. My ransom marked by good fortune, extended through it
So that kissing it was the sweetest prohibition for me

17. I kissed it, so I sipped glory mixed in it
Wealth and taking pleasure in the draft