1. Patience fails him whose woes constrain him,
on the day of parting, and solace avails him naught.

2. No longer heeds he aught that might console him
when all eyes are sleeping what consoles them.

3. Has a gleam from my brother Kama beamed on me,
where love's ardour kindled in me now slackens?

4. But for pride and the lusts that it fosters,
His phantom that haunted me I had blamed.

5. Who sees not in things their essential nature
ere death, its sure goal, shall be his abode.

6. Like a wily foe our mighty lord deemed me,
letting me rest who against him was plotting.

7. Stedfast purpose no cowardice softens
when its aim is fixed and no weakness thwarts it.

8. Daily his virtues reap a fresh guerdon
that dissipates all the wealth he dispenses.

9. Ceaseless bounty pours from him though complain
of it his intimates, and the abject envy it.

10. Floods of gifts like the rain he lavishes freely,
days whereof ne'er a trifler made mention.

11. Grateful for gifts, as though it were he who gained them,
he gives thanks, as though it were he who received them.

12. Sound in method and ordering, blest in their issue,
keen inthought, in perplexities skilful.

13. Fine in counsel to all who attempt things,
biddable to them and a sure guide to them.

14. No shaft flies wide that his skill has directed,
when his mind's made up and his thought centred.

15. When accounts tally, details flow smoothly,
and the ledger shines in the hand of its master.

16. He bears two honours whose height claims all homage,
that no eye sees without a tear for its envy.

17. Ahmad, praise still shall increase what you merit
through your bounty, and bounty bring you fresh praise.

18. In the shade of your glory let your foes perish,
gnashing their teeth at the sight, and pine in despair!

19. To you is empire's train drawn, since God aided
none but yourself, none to compare, none to consort.

20. To you control of affairs leaned confiding
that trust is secure in one nobly descended.

21. Make your safeguard men's thanks, and preserve it,
note what report shall immortalize and bless you.

22. By the rout of your foemen your prowess is proven,
after their wickedness failed and their might sank in night.

23. They conspired to entrap you, but better betraying
was driven from them by happy emprise and right thought.

24. Each one of them all was by evil deserted,
when his plotting misled him and nothing achieved.

25. Naught did they threaten but swiftly you turned it,
reaping advantage where loss they conceived.

26. When their guile struck a spark, your good fortune
at once to dead ashes reduced it and quenched it.