1. O my master and brother, you reminded me
Of the days of my childhood, and admonished and advised me.

2. You reminded me of the valley of Damascus and its
Shady dwellings by the clear, flowing streams.

3. And you described to me the season of spring, when
The wheel of time turns towards flourishing youth.

4. The birds sing out joyfully,
A warbler to enchant the listener, a mourner to make the heart ache.

5. Their singing entertains the boon companion,
The nightingale is the messenger of the bulbul.

6. It is as if they learned from Ibn Muqlid
His words in the first slow mode.

7. And a doe of our hunting, with its scent
Of ambergris and its shirt of sandalwood,

8. Musky in its exhalations, its origin from
Babylon, outshining even Qutrubbul.

9. And the people of Damascus say it is the noblest
City, the greatest dwelling.

10. And you spoke truly, Damascus is the paradise of this
World, but for me hell is sweeter.

11. Neither the Egyptian ruler nor the ruler of Mosul
Can enforce their rule over me there.

12. Far be it that I should take refuge in Damascus and its kingdom
Be ascribed to other than the most righteous king.

13. And of wonders, that Abu Bakr
Should rule it, when he knows the bequest is to Ali.

14. Wait, Abu Hasan, that is but
A summer cloud, soon to disperse.