1. Do you not see that the caravans are moving on,
and that Suleima gestures farewell with peace?

2. So do not blame me if I weep like a youth,
while in my mind an army of love storms.

3. I stood before the she-camels as they departed,
while a jealous one prevented me from saying goodbye.

4. I restrain my tears as they flow copiously,
and I force my heart to be patient as it flutters.

5. In the morning, nothing distracted me except their singing,
urging on the camels, which plod heavily along.

6. Did you glance back at me so I could quench my thirst
by looking at you? Do the two gazes meet?

7. The stars of the camels’ litters have journeyed on,
above them shining planets and dim constellations.

8. My heart deserted me and hurried along
when it was time for it to depart with the caravan.

9. It continues to water the sapling of sorrow
with the dew of Dhidim, as it wept at dawn.

10. The night of separation stretched out before my eyes,
though I am accustomed to short nights of anguish.

11. I yearn for the sandy plain of ‘Alaj,
does its water still flow for the visitors?

12. There is no fault in resting there, save that
it distances one from the eyes of the onlookers.

13. How many lovers have wandered there confused,
how many glances of the beholders have been seduced!

14. I say to the full moon rising in the dark of night,
though I have little sight to illuminate the gloom:

15. “Shall I avert my gaze until I bring it back
quickly? If so, then I am truly patient!”

16. O killer of me! Why do the nights and their uncertainty
assail me, and the deserted places attack and rage?

17. When I say this as we are blessed with your nearness,
time trips up even the firmest of men.

18. By my life! If blame for separation fills me,
other concerns have presented themselves beyond blame.

19. The nights have aimed their arrows at me
and a warner has eloquently told me his intentions.

20. Old age has attacked me in its war,
sending against my temples a pitiless, deadly foe.

21. So pleasures have turned away from me
as if they were marginal notes erased by the wind.

22. It is as though my companions and I are hunted game,
with old age an unrelenting morning against us.

23. What can one who tries to catch with his hands accomplish
if a difficulty appears and the paths ahead unclear?

24. So rouse the camels, my friend, as if they were castles
with hawks perched atop them in the morning!

25. We have plowed the long nights with them, crossing
the depths of desolation, which continue to flow for them.

26. Until, equipped with supplies, their knees were stained
with pallor and their flanks bent with grief.

27. They were the dictation of the mountains, yet
the journey continued until they returned weary.

28. To the land of a king whom the sphere of highness
has ceaselessly encircled with comets of honor.

29. Is there any reconsidering the resolve of the Hamama,
the son of Nasir, for one who fears the guile of time?

30. The brother of glory - as for the one who comes begging from him,
he faces a torrent, but the one who approaches with sincerity, a light.

31. The sun of his face illuminates the sights of all,
and the direction of his help is a flowing stream for the destitute.

32. When the brilliance of religion appears through his victory,
religion experiences from him a renaissance.

33. A noble youth whom fortune raised the banner of his opinion,
through which a kingdom gained might and a throne joy.

34. He combined beauty in appearance and character, both of them,
your separation from which is evident and concealed.

35. In us are embodied all the virtues utterly,
so anyone else’s claim to virtue is false.

36. And it said “Our father is the son of nobility, Muhammad,”
and I said “A father, if you only knew how great!”

37. Aspirations through which I have followed his example,
and each of us is a thought that gives might and illumination.

38. The edifice of the kingdom is supported by his good opinion,
and the excellence of his praise gives his highness ease.

39. So for the noble dynasty I have an idea,
and for the noble state from him a warning.

40. Tomorrow for the kings of the earth, a pillar of advice,
while the matter of reliance is weakening.

41. Whenever he undertakes a momentous affair with his opinion,
good tidings of imminent opening come to the kingdom.

42. How many seditions grow arrogant under any guide,
for him the beak by night and the blade by day!

43. It is as if the swords of India against them are stars,
sinking with the dawn into the shoulder-blades of the warriors.

44. And the eagles of the horses form mountains from what they stir up,
atop the air castles which eagles inhabit.

45. For terror has come to fill the breasts of many people,
as if their nests were startled and abandoned.

46. With a mere gesture of opinion, its evil was checked,
so that firmness faltered and bitterness was prolonged.

47. O you who perfected a soul and origin, so lights
of splendor rose up for their loftiness!

48. To you it is as if, every night,
the cosmos points to you with the hand of Canopus.

49. Saying: “Let the one who has perfected in glory be named,
and take pride in attaining the heights, proudly!”

50. You have combined piety, munificence, courage and forbiddance -
your elucidation a pearl and your front teeth shore pearls.

51. When you made the pilgrimage to the Sacred House, the House and pilgrims
seeking refuge hurried to make pilgrimage to you.

52. Never before have two Kaabas met,
nor two corners - either a visitor or visited.

53. Through the blessings of God’s right hand, you have increased our glories,
so you give refuge from the injustice of time.

54. Your opinion puts to shame the kings of the earth with its light,
as if you were a sun and the kings planets.

55. If they gather one day in consultation with it,
it will store for them years until the next return.

56. I see the guide of fortune in every abode,
keeping pace with luck wherever it goes.

57. How many envious ones wish you ill, and so nightfall leaves them
as if distraught with grief and crazed.

58. When you appear to all sights, they look away as if
your brilliance were a flashing blade amidst the darkness.

59. May men sacrifice themselves for you, who have become bodies
while if weighed against hearts, they are but tombs.

60. They are in palaces with veils drawn around them,
while we desire delicate palaces for them.

61. The right of breasts is for them to be seen with hearts
that envelop them entirely when revealed.

62. They distinguished wealth, which was as pebbles to their courage,
while honor was precious and they considered it paltry.

63. Reputations were surrendered, which were trifles,
but their palms were rocks.

64. O you whose perfections deeds of praise have become
necklaces for which his qualities of commendation are pearls.

65. My praise and devotion have strong ties,
with the first and last linked together.

66. I still possess the favors of noble ancestors who have passed
and it befits the most generous to preserve their loyalty.

67. I persist in thanking them throughout the nights,
for as long as the Pleiades remain.

68. So how can gratitude in its plentitude be thanked
when the visitors have done well and it is most thankful?

69. I say to the wounds of youth, my poetry is infatuated,
while the old and wise are solemn.

70. Although my thoughts are preoccupied with other matters,
averting poetry, but the judicious are dignified.

71. It is as if my heart throughout my life is an arena,
captive to the blows of fate.

72. In it remains one with shallow care, pouring forth
noise, while the sight of poetry for it is muddled.

73. You have come to us while spring is keeping its promise,
so the garden of life has returned refreshed.

74. Due to your munificence, O brightest light of the world, and its munificence,
two clouds, each a rain for the people.

75. In every house, there are gifts and grants,
in every plain, a garden and stream.

76. It is as if the anemones and poppies on the land
are flushed cheeks with polished and gaping holes.

77. So live for a thousand eras like this perfect age,
for the ages have not found one like you in glory.

78. However you wish, you make the days your guide,
since epochs are guided however they wish.

79. The best state of fate is that you are safe,
and does the loss of any creature harm when you remain?

80. One noble man from the sons of time suffices us,
and the sincerity of one, even if you find many.