1. The roses are ablaze though the meadow is calm,
Illusory phantoms they appear in the dales.

2. With a turn of their glances, they steal the heart,
Having given trust to love, it will always prevail.

3. Radiant suns emerge from crimson domes,
But no sooner they rose than began to set.

4. They travelled, and flowers blossomed, scattered,
As we drew close, the anemones glowing bright red.

5. They found glances both sweet and bitter, as though
Complaining of blame to the one who’d blame.

6. Blossomed have grapes and roses together,
So wondrously fused, a marvel they became!

7. Features shone in a bed of treats,
By God, what a red, sweet and fine rose indeed!

8. Perceiving the side of foes as smooth terrain,
Befitting her spite; then goodwill she began to breed.

9. The excuses of one whose heart, smitten with love,
Would answer, though reminded of youth and play.

10. An apparition - fearing his watcher’s ghost -
Visited and travelled, apprehensive of the way.

11. When avoidance is the water-drawers’ path,
The rain clouds will send showers your way.

12. Whenever the wind greeted an abode with life,
It bent branches towards you, swaying and dancing gay.

13. Lightning there flashed as though
A blaze on the ribs of a dark night aflame.

14. He spent the night shaken by the wind
As if stirring bronze scraps with a blaze.

15.
And he disputed the favour of the minister, and his like,

16. With goodwill encompassing east and west equally.
High minded, deeming the Summit his stronghold,

17. Taking refuge in it, and Mishrafa his booty.
Clement - the more you know him, the greater his clemency,

18. So how can he deviate from the path of Truth?
Smiling whilst spears paint red his weapon -

19. As though he’d seen fingerprints painted with henna.

20. We saw him on the day of bounty, radiant and bright,
And on the battle of bayonets, polished and trimmed.

21. We found him frugal in spending thousands,
And frugal in drawing sharp swords.

22. Kings - if days last with their spears -
You’d think the days torso and shoulder to them.

23. A party contends their superior nobility,
And were it not for them, people would not know pedigree.

24.
Estrangement whose steeds at dawn

25. Stamp markings of the night wandering vague.
As if Indian swords amongst their spears

26. Were streams in a verdant, bushed vale.

27. So congested, even if water flowed over it,
The compactness of blades would stop its course.

28. With it you rouse the odes, striking,
With your lifelong sword, no less eager and keen.

29.
You played freely with your spears with our foes,

30. Toying with their souls such that we fancied play and sport.
And how many thought little in fervour is equalled?

31. How many fervent ones in war are thought little?
If you were distanced from the war of foes,

32. I’d summon you in the war of afflictions armed.
When the wise man’s guidance is unseen,

33. One resorts to an opinion which reveals the obscure scene.

34. Ill-fortuned were we, son of Muhammad!
So we avoided each other in our dispute.

35. You summoned us to concord whilst the likes of you summons
With ‘welcome’ the spring water of life, so it rippled!

36.
Never were your bounties out of reach for a relative,

37. Nor were they beyond all people, strangers alike.
By night I mounted alone my ride without complaint,

38. ‘My reinholder, how coarse was the night’s mount!’

39. So poetry flows from you as pure wealth,
Though we draw common beads threaded and pierced.

40. So do you have any recompense if I block for you,
The witnesses of poetry’s rhymes refused access?

41. A slap on earth whilst settled,
As if south or north winds were her mount’s gallop.

42. Perfect diction refines it as one befits her equal,
And serves her until softened and flavourful her words.

43. Surveying the plains of prose and grief,
Only selecting the most eloquent and refined phrases.

44. I left the Levant’s sanctuary though it was graceful,
Saying to the seekers of glory, ‘marhaba!’

45. Ornamented, verdant lands,
Burnished hills, beautifully decorated dales.

46. When we chase the war booty they enable access,
Though if we seek the hunt - unfailing and firm.

47.
So the days have no disgrace within,

48. Nor are the life’s aspects inaccessible.
But the kin have greater rights to eloquence,

49. If the kin are closest in praise.
A noble man - if he appraises Tihama proud -

50. I appraise him Rada and Quds and Kabkaba.
I have exalted you in my poetry even if I adorned

51. The crowns of kings with headbands entwined.
So you never ceased to be open-handed, appeased,