1. Whenever I long for you, my friend, for Nejd
Time's changes make me wander farther yet

2. Each day within my heart a deeper love
Grows, whilst your face shows greater scorn of me

3. When shall we meet, while such doth separate us?
What brings us nearer that has led to this?

4. We've tasted passion and 'twas bitter-sweet
Met hopes and dreams and yet they seemed to cheat

5. We've tasted yearning and, if it helped,
We would have wept until no tear was left

6. We've traveled many lands through joy and pain
Endured the saddle whether calm or strain

7. Waited through time, day upon passing day
Borne sorrows, one by one, come what may

8. All I have gained, if distant from Nejd's heart
Is lost when gained, being kept apart

9. A stranger's loneliness leaves no resolve
A wish dies fruitless though I strive and delve

10. Where'er I wander, ever I feel strange
Too many days bring sorrow, not joy's change

11. If time breeds discontent twixt me and you
O time, how far does your injustice accrue!

12. Yet do not blame, for blame helps no man's cause
Time was, is now, and ever onward draws

13. To humble hearts it brings prosperity
Yet honor rises above indignity

14. The brother of high hope and purpose will
From among his kin choose glory's course and skill

15. O rider who speeds to glory and great deeds
And sees in Nejd's lands all honour proceeds

16. Say unto Nejd, whom Allah waters well
The words of one who in his heart does dwell

17. You and your people, what we knew of old
For me were warmth and kindness manifold

18. If loyalties should fade as time does tell
We'll keep our faith, stay true and serve you well

19. May Allah tend that bond forevermore
And bless that life with goodness evermore

20. May Allah dress that land in meadows green
And may those meadows grow with leaves serene

21. There many a maid whose charms I understand
I've gazed upon, enraptured, lost, unmanned

22. A moon, I've stayed awake still dawns first light
The stars themselves cannot match that sweet sight

23. If on her cheek I laid my weary head
My eyes could gaze, then close, fulfilled, and dread no morrow's dawn or difficult tomorrow

24. He did not break his word, until at last
Time broke between us, sundered our past

25. The day we parted came, he then did sing
Who knows what strength hard times to men can bring?

26. Then to my hopes he seemed to bid goodbye
Though many dreams between us there did lie

27. I bid him come, to share a kiss, and make
Our farewell warmer for affection's sake

28. But he refused, was silent, turned his cheek
Ablush with shame for me, my heart to break

29. Then turned away like boughs in gentle breeze
That bend and part, so we did take our leave

30. Those eyes, when last their lids were lifted, shed
A spell to charm the heart made heavy as lead

31. As though a teacher turned his gaze above
And won out with his words against my love

32. That poet whose abundance of merit
Showed in his speech, and the great man of spirit

33. That generous soul who freely gave all he could
That raincloud who showered the land with his flood

34. All who in eloquence progress have made
The wise have judged his skill and theirs have weighed

35. Abu Ismail, if he speaks his thoughts
Is for all Ismail's sons a treasure beyond worth

36. Of his unique mastery of the ode
Arab and foreign tongues in concert flowed

37. None shared his gift for composition before
None since has equaled it, nor taught it more

38. Keener his thought, his words hold greater charm
His wisdom is deeper, his verses disarm

39. His speech is chosen with such care
As though selecting rhymes most rich and rare

40. The greatest man, when greater lines he seeks
Turns to Abu Ismail, that fountain pure and deep

41. Let him scatter pearls or string them in a chain
However he wills, none can his art attain

42. In innovations never heard of before
No eloquent man could strive for more

43. Wonders that humble speakers high and low
If not for faith, might cause them envy or woe

44. He builds himself a place, steadfast and sure
O'er every king, presses down every cur

45. Supports the minister in word and deed
Till he's the strongest pillar in time of need

46. Thus closer to all people does he grow
Thus all people's love for him does flow

47. With honest counsel, when men prove untrue
With wisdom, when events adversity pursue

48. With his insight, when we need light revealed
With his words coming fast, when appeals he's yielded

49. Deeds we in wonder behold and relate
None could meet as his equal or adequate

50. O you whose glory all others excels!
O prince whose gift all goodness compels!

51. To me, so little, your greatness is balm
Since in your grace I have found guidance and calm

52. Not that for you I wrote this, no, instead
I sought in you the path of wisdom to tread

53. For in your light I found my way
And in your words what to speak and say

54. The rays of your poetry were my guide
Though my nights were in sorrow and meaningless void

55. The fates once laughed with me, now act with disdain
The stars once brought me near you, now keep away

56. Yet still I carry your praises on high
Till at your door my gift of words does lie

57. The days destroy me, leave me in life's darkest ditch
My talents to the days I've sold too cheap

58. So use this chance, the hour is at hand
To make my gifts give glory whilst time is spanned

59. Save me from the days that come ever nigher
Ere all is lost and gone, seize what is left entire

60. Look on me kindly, for who shines as bright?
The freeman's slave, if treated right

61. Guard what trust we share, though you soar too high
I look above, and strive until I die

62. Stay, be to each defender, guide, and friend
And gently hold their hands until the end

63. Taste life's joy, heed no morrow
Hasten to live in delight sans sorrow

64. If Allah grants you years ahead
Praise Him, fear not that they will instead be taken

65. Seize the moment when time does us befriend
To use our gifts and skills ere comes the end.