1. On that hill he stood loftily erewhile,
How often did we in its two slopes joy!

2. No eye but, when him it espied, poured down
Fast-flowing tears from its brims, like a mug.

3. Depart, Solace my heart its trouble for joy
And gladness, that it hath surplus sadness and care.

4. She showed herself in a gown with a train,
Looking the pink of perfection midst the mantles' folds.

5. Camels with housings gay and litters of pearl
Adorned, and gifts of a weeping eye outpour'd

6. The breathings of the zephyr have left behind
Yearning in me and tears flooding adown.

7. A staggering drunk who from wine of Youth doth reel
As though he staggered from grape-juice, not meth.

8. The wine-bar and wanton will awake; young fools
Will pass in turn the bowls of wine along.

9. He blends the wine-cups with lips' vintaging
Until the dawn shines bright and morn is white.

10. As my joy seeks no increase beyond thy weal,
Or it seeks the clan's weal and folk a-gathered.

11. I show my virtues and evils I disown;
I turn from promises that proved untrue.

12. He rains at times white silver and at times
On those who seek boons show'rs of gold he pours.

13. As lightning he glittered in sheen, his dazzlement shewing,
His lightning aggressive whilst fire is enkindled.

14. Enticing with braided tresses not braids deckt wi' pearls,
With blades not of al-Hind but the white of Arabs.

15. Prudence dwells in high emprise, though latent,
Like death in slender hoods of the lancets lain.

16. Sufficeth Hamdánides for pride and fame
That they are scions of Mahmúd generous:

17. A lion, if lions he hath ta'en, himself
Disdains to take the precious lives of kine.

18. How many enviers whose spacious life was straitened
By Emir's long thin blades that snugly fitted!

19. One praise-compelling who trails skirt of grace
Ampler than trail of clouds raining adown!

20. He turned his rein to Irák-land and rode
A paddock-skimmer swimming through pitchy sea,

21. A she-camel soliciting at times to live
By her pacing, and then fearing for her limbs;

22. And when they put their heads to course direct,
He turned their heads from committing new offence.

23. Ships that swim safely may find toil and teen;
And ships voyaging swift eke excess of pain.

24. As though amidst the waves athirst he were
Who will not drink the bowl marred by mirage;

25. As though those saddle-bags were native home
While we were bound those deserts wild to range;

26. Not e'er Baghdad his goal he made ere she
Seemed sea of boons wherein lived joyaunce aye.

27. When first her terraces had stroke our sight,
'Twas likest wights in prison who go free.

28. We turned with brow made white by joyous news
He gave; red in his rage at enemies.

29. His bounty gainéd wealth of honour and fame
Which shall endure because it still endures.

30. When he had won the wish of every wish
With trenchant sword he pierced the lions' breasts.

31. And he returned while praise like gown invests,
Stark words and terse as plucked from tree branch torn.