1. I see him turn pale when asked about my blood,
And on his cheeks are traces of it when confronted.

2. Of great beauty, rarely found his equal,
Though a slave, he exercises his master's control,

3. Like a gazelle exerting the might of a lion.
He appears like the full moon rising radiant,

4. Having emerged from the gloom of dark night.
With a brow that protects the cheek like a scorpion,

5. And a branch that supports the stature like a pole.
So no eye but is in bliss and paradise,

6. Nor heart but is in inferno's heat and hell's blaze.
His mouth contains pearls of speech and a smiling mouth,

7. Both cures for the sickness of the frowning displeased.
It speaks with the eloquence of scattered pearls,

8. And smiles with the charm of well-strung pearls.
Stingy is he except with estrangement and aloofness,

9. Generous is he only with hopes surrendered and resigned.
For when her cruelty has strung taut my hopes,

10. His frowning eyebrows shoot arrows from his eyes.
And he strikes with the sword of smooth glance,

11. And stabs with the spear of slender shape.
He draws the bow of beauty doing battle,

12. And naught but the killing of the unlawful is his goal.
Seeking the traits of noble birth while composing,

13. Of its glories, poems of elaborate style.
Leave the lofty lightning to a hostile army,

14. And spare the empty pen for a people camping.
The valley, the battleground, and the plain are my fields,

15. Where I ready archery and with the graceful mouth I aim.
Its comfortable abodes are the truest bliss,

16. Not veiled sanctuaries to be pried open.
But they are the zenith of ascent, and the stations of

17. The Pleiades, and the un-pierced hemisphere's guard.
Havens of rest, goblets of wine,

18. Radiant moons, and wheeling stars.
I say to Unaysa as she travels the plains

19. Like an ostrich overfed vying for yet more feed.
It is desolation, travel, gloom, and exertion,

20. Girding determination through every pass.
Glad tidings he traced for me and said

21. When will you meet the impregnable capital's dawn?
Pitch hope's tent at Muhammad's abode

22. And fling down your staff and make camp.
For no possession but is for the Almighty

23. And no sanctuary but beneath His shade.
So pitch your abode in His shadow sure.

24. Trust in Him, you'll be provided for. Ward off with Him, you'll be protected.
Attach yourself to Him, you'll be guided aright. Seek Him, you'll profit.

25. His house, you'll be given victory. His lightning, you'll be exalted.
His righteousness, you'll be rewarded. His majesty, you'll be revered.

26. His meadow, you'll be fertile. His basin's water you'll imbibe.
At his tomb, you'll gain wealth. Serve Him, you'll be served.

27. Thus have I come to offer Him vows and ritual,
And in clinging to Him, hardships were forbidden me.

28. So I was granted honor's generosity,
And kissed each tender spot from His shoed feet.

29. And when visiting Him, chanting I offered this poem
That banishes sorrow when chanted musically.

30. Parting - but the one I parted from, no blame can be found.
A mother - but the one I purpose towards, the best of goals.

31. I woke under the shadow of Son of Ghazi Son of Yusuf,
And the eye of time was delighted with me through him.

32. A king who has two days - a day of bestowal,
And a day of struggle painting the earth in blood.

33. No dissenter but is captive to his gifts,
No deserter but is stunted by his resolute helmsman.

34. And if there is shortcoming, my excuse is clear,
Can heaven be climbed with a ladder?

35. Anyway, You are the Just Judge. So distinguish
Between what I say, and judge with Your wisdom.

36. For not all who compose verse are poets,
Nor everyone with Incisors and canines, a lion.