1. It is forbidden for eyelids to wish for slumber
When they have glimpsed the flash of a shooting star's glimmer

2. Its shine appeared like Indian steel
Then it faded away, with no pulse left to feel

3. It reminded me of the era of lovers and ardour
And the race of my youth which I spent in fervour

4. The sad destined one fulfilled his woeful fate
And the debt of the angels, which cannot abate

5. They said: "Be content with the spectre which comes to you
But how can a spectre visit one who never knew slumber?"

6. An agony which the separation exhaled
And tears whose bitterness sadness curdled

7. And of the caravan is one whose heart is inclined to betrayal
I confide my love in him, yet he openly declares his hatred

8. He emaciated me with his slender waist
And his sickly eyelids brought me disease

9. The day we parted, he wore the garb of an Indian warrior
And his glances were the keenest of what he wore

10. I was happy to be slain by his love, and if only
My soul had consented to being slain by him

11. I marveled at a visitor who came riding the night
Without his mount galloping or pacing light

12. He made me dizzy with a Babylonian wine
And let me taste, from his lips, a blossom evergreen

13. I blamed him, and his hand strangled me in rage
As I watched his fingers clench white

14. He travels from the outskirts of Syria, his specter crosses
The heavens' breadth and length to reach my dwelling place

15. As the heir of Muhammad's son travels nightly
Crossing the land to fulfill my earnest wish

16. The noble one who brings greetings does not resent
Eyelids, but if he sees a slip, then he resents

17. If you seek his affection and companionship
You will find the loyal, the noble and the benevolent

18. He protected his honor from being disgraced by money
And money is no good if it cannot protect one's honor

19. He took a stand to manage the ministry, one which
Humiliates those who attempt to oppose or refute

20. So he avoided base living, yearning for sublime heights
And he who spends his night aspiring for the sublime, avoids all that is base

21. The world displays to him its beauty and esteem
Yet he responds with indifference and refusal

22. His eyes stay awake protecting the realm
And one tasked to protect it forsakes slumber

23. When he intends to be generous, his generosity ensues
To its seekers, continuously, some after the other

24. If a miser pollutes a good deed by demanding compensation
He gifts you, yet does not obligate you to express appreciation

25. I came to terms with the days for making him
My envoy to my fate, though I did not approve

26. He protected me from the tyranny of nights and their meandering
Glancing at me mockingly and watching me intently

27. And his grandfather lifted me from the burden of struggle
And burdened me with what I cannot handle or juggle

28. If not for him, the pursuits I hold dear
Would not have seen the light of favorable days, ever so clear

29. I swear by the disheveled tresses and scattered hair
Of a doe hiding between jujube trees without care

30. By every slender, emaciated gazelle struck
By separation, as beasts fight over it and pluck

31. Letters that make his traveling clothes sweat
Without leaving on the parchment a thing or trace

32. The darkness and traveling leave them in a certain state
That one may think, by their complexion, that they are old by trait

33. When she takes off the gown of nobility to dress up, donned
In travelers garb, leading or ending a caravan

34. They head to the landmarks of Tayba, a place one descends,
Where its visitors unload their burdens and cares

35. The favor of empowerment has enveloped, without a doubt
The office of Suddud, may its affairs make you devout

36. And the glory you reunited that once was split
Unlike days gone in eras where it saw naught but loss and omit

37. Without you to revive what remains of its old ways
The edifice of all things noble would surely decay

38. My praises which affection has pronounced and bound
I trust in you shall honor, and never confound

39. Necklaces of praise, though composed, could never raise
Your status, but fulfil an obligation always

40. You continue to bestow favors however high skies climb
Or lowly depths earth conceives, until the end of time

41. You reign over all the kingdoms you possess
With swaying authority, unfettered nonetheless