1. For what flash of lightning should I roam,
And pasture of virtue in my time is desolate?

2. I spent the night while the cheek of the night of poetry turned away from me
With the palm of dawn from my long white hair.

3. And my thoughts folded their wings around me
So in the nest of my bed I crouch.

4. Excuse me, then, if the era of my poetry has changed
And the forbearing may overlook errors.

5. It is not that I fell short of glory but
Every poem by the ill is infirm.

6. And hearts become sick so satisfaction is not
Tolerated for them when bodies fall ill.

7. How can a stubborn nature that falters
Whenever destinies clash do well by me?

8. I make no excuse for myself but
I have crept to gain your acceptance.

9. As the book became warped in its binding
And its seals flip it straight.

10. While all I was given to drink was bitter
And all I was led to graze was loathsome.

11. Should one like me be weaned from the milk of honor
Or an aged fool find wonders novel?

12. I spill freely on my face the water of my pool
While for others the water skin was stingy.

13. If my people have forgotten me for my lifetime
A generous one or mean one of their sons,

14. Then bestow wealth on its inhabitant and turn away
It suffices you the stench of its wasteland.

15. And stopping for an hour to sketch a house
With hands of loving hope swimming in faraway valleys,

16. I stopped while my tears were stingy to me
And my friend denied me so began to blame me.

17. Oh my support and my eye together
Reproach and blame are ugly from both of you

18. I love a man whose outward expression is beautiful
To his companion while his depths are sound

19. He will willingly respond to my appeal
When a highborn one of proud lineage makes it known to me

20. And among the youth is every well-guided striver
Who sees the war of fate but does not waver.

21. His affection endures for every horror—
But does everyone's affection endure?

22. I swore by the Lord of Mecca and the Sacred Mosque
And wherever the Well of Zamzam and Stone are visited

23. I seek success only in the shadow
Of a King whose branch prospers and thrives.

24. And I compose my poem of praise for none but excellent men—
For him from his glory there is composed praise.

25. And the best jewelry is a new verse
That is fashioned for one whose home is old.

26. So if the journey of my contraction has dragged on for me
Well, here I am, the time for me to return has arrived!

27. And I swear I did not cling to a fantasy
As disasters cling resolutely to the abyss.

28. And I have a guide to the religion of God
So in the valley of misguidance do I not wander.

29. Nor were suns for it suitable matches
Like the star of religion, if it were among stars.

30. A generous one from whom I have ample light and brilliance
So my day from him is sunny even when cloudy.

31. From it clouds in my eye burst into celebration
And from it worries over my heart burst.

32. A generous one, his face fills with water
Upon which rest the birds of my hopes.

33. Oh he whose lofty office is exclusive
And whose abundant attainments are shared by all!

34. To you I complained of the night's betrayal
And your capacity suffices me for help.

35. And for me in the most high court a place remains
To where the banners long have been raised to you by right.

36. Though emblems may be overlooked when
Contradictions between them occur, like people forgiving faults.

37. So secure it for me through your effort, for if not
For the breath of spirits, no clouds would form.

38. For how many messages have your fingers traced
That humble even a grave speech?

39. With a mouth whose lips he wets at night
That peel dry again by daylight.

40. By it you have displayed a tremendous miracle
As did the Chosen by his sign.

41. Just like that the best came from you in multitudes
To a protective shadow and solemnly swore not to fail.

42. And Mentor of Virtue’s people, when you are attributed
Are the continuance of noble deeds so that they endure

43. So people of merit, if they gain your backing
The sincere meet the sincere, as is known.

44. And how many groups faulted and failed!
The vanguards of which nights have relayed

45. And so the war with time has been imposed on me
With clouds that cannot be penetrated.

46. It shook the pillars of religion so tremendously
A vengeance is gained thereby that cannot be brushed aside.

47. So you are to the Minister at a point that enriches
the destitute with but a glance from you

48. Because you are related to him closely
Each reason for your ties being a tremendous source of pride.

49. The steps of the Master under whom we gather
I and others dismissed by him shall recover

50. And the broadcasting of my praises is a fault
That answers the easy or the rough road.

51. The tongues of my burdens are highest in praise
So their essence matches their outward behavior.

52. And by the eyes they are heard to speak
The wings of my envious enemy thereby fettered.

53. I shall adhere to the train of your supreme council, passionately
As the enamored clings, lovingly.

54. After it would be forbidden, if I ever again
Frequent anywhere but your house being prohibited to me.

55. And how much they have said figuratively that sciences
Have not encompassed the realities we know!

56. So when I visited the Star of Religion intentionally
And around his praise a cup passed intoxicatingly,

57. I gained proximity so as to confirm my claim
That the star is to me a companion in it.

58. So be silent beyond words and celebrate in the shadow
Of endless good fortune whether settled or wandering.

59. When men boast pridefully of possessions
Then the sterile kingdom boasts pridefully of you!

60. If they become base then you rise above it
If they sit then you straighten because of it.

61. And you always pass in the garb of prosperity
Embroidered for which are ease and bounty.