1. How did you come to dwell among those steeped in passion, and be accustomed to visit them,
When I was used to plucking ripening fruits in bewilderment?

2. Or how could you endure their armed guards around you,
With the door barricaded against you with bolts and locks?

3. What an ardent lover you are, who has met with pain,
While I would indulge you with the highest honor when you visited!

4. You had nothing left but yearning after the night before,
With reddened eyes that make tears flow in secret.

5. Yet I see you in a state that brings me joy,
As if I received a gold dinar in the morning twilight.

6. The fawn of your loving eyes has a necklace for him
Strung with pearls of finest quality.

7. He would kindle its fire for a time, then stoke it
When its Indian hue and embers died down.

8. It has lanterns of ostrich eggs, and a morning
That feeds the groves now barren of their caretakers.

9. The wild birds sing melodies in its districts,
Cracking open fruits with their bills in meekness.

10. I sent you forth, O beloved friends, confident of your tie of brotherhood,
Open in spirit, skilled in drawing arrows from your side.

11. As if his saliva were deadly poison from an asp
When it obtained its freedom from the serpent charmer’s spell.

12. He would raise and train it to strike the riders from behind
If the piebald snake failed to bring it out in time.

13. So I put my trust in my dear friend for that which delighted him,
And schemed against whoever opposed and clawed at me.

14. But that has become like dreams which I recall
After comfort, though life is ever changing.

15. Who can convey the pain of one who wishes for him
A long life, and whatever he desires to make plain?

16. I was delighted by the loyalty that Qais showed you,
Informing me of your news in detail.

17. Since the absence of your dear self avoided
Women of pure intentions, chaste and virtuous.

18. Had I perished, I would have left people in confusion
After all were gone, and life was broken.

19. So praise be to God, for saving you from harm!
God has no need for partisans to defend His praise.

20. When I harbored enmity against the slanderers because of their nature,
Fearing you, the protector took to flight.

21. Yet you raise them gently, smiling,
Erringly, and make them wise counselors.

22. You guide the people and grant them their rights
With justice in religion and abundant generosity.

23. Rather, loose tongues say about me, O people of perfect character:
“You are not qualified for the kingdom or leadership.”

24. What do you hope for, if your spring perished
After your beloved, and whoever kindled a fire for you?

25. No, by the One of Divine Tranquility, if the excellent man faced
Among you events that led him to the much-visited grave,

26. With a call like that—what their summoner proclaims
For something in this world—and people are stirred up,

27. The Pavilion of the Prophet of Mankind would not be violated
By the Byzantines bargaining with you for gold coins.

28. When you cling to a group with no merit,
Like tent pegs of a mighty kingdom founded long ago,

29. Or war breaks out after what was kindled
Until your wise elders are marked with white hair,

30. Its people have lost him who gave them reason,
Until he makes your humiliation and disgrace plain to you.

31. It is as if their enemies were from among you, and their adversary
Was the enemy—patient over the days.

32. Your ally who supported you is now lost,
Or you falsely claim and your strings are tightened.

33. His kingdom gained no firm footing when your arrows were shaky,
And the nobility of his superiority deserted you.

34. So each of you tomorrow will guard his affection,
Remaining safe and secure in his lands.

35. The gift of sustenance from his Lord will make him blissful,
As one who seeks to behold Him will be content with his state.

36. One who never shares his soul with others is condemnable,
And whoever brings his worthy neighbor close to him in the evening.

37. The Doer of deeds, who reaps every act of unity,
Gentle in attributes, who wages war with courage.

38. Not domineering in what his leadership secured,
He builds for those to come blessings and traces.

39. Noble in gain, whose lowliness
Is like the sea, where current flows into current.

40. The Giver of thousands in captivity—their motley colors
Are covered over as if with much torrential rain.

41. Misfortune is disheveled, gloomy, blackened—it resembles them
From its aversion to the clear, gushing water of the Almighty.

42. In the meadow it grazes and wanders through its districts
Driven out by the neighing of the steeds in retreat.

43. Rather, the piebalds among them in your barracks
And the warriors when armed with their coats of mail.

44. So which of you has not attained his goal’s provision,
A cloak, garments, in places far and wide?

45. Today when God has protected you from its evil,
And increased your enemies’ humiliation and abasement,

46. Ask His pardon, thank Him for His blessing,
And devote yourselves to your God, All-Forgiving.

47. He will increase your firmness so long as your defender lives,
With strength in the rope of your covenant and passage.

48. When does one who hates justice ever see it,
In all the traditions and laws they overturned?

49. Had we known mountains as lofty as those we frequent
Among our kinsmen—pillars of the kingdom for ages—

50. They would not have seen one give a command
And be stronger in authority, more harmful in his power.

51. He who seeks a substitute for God supposes in vain,
As does one who hopes the changes of fate will be shown.