1. She had braids shining like lightning
Erased by combs and winds that softly blow

2. So why do you today recall her only
As dreams recalled though they are fleeting fancies

3. If you don’t visit the gentle lady’s abode
Then neither will the dark knight ever visit

4. God watered the vines of our peace for an age
And we wore the garb of ease while it slumbered

5. But wishes were fulfilled after pleading and nightlong vigil
And joy however much the envious blamed it

6. When a man doesn’t thank you with love like yours
And falls short of what you gave, he is ungrateful

7. I saw the clever Abu Al-Fadl in his wisdom
Achieve glory no contenders could attain

8. While no victor won your praise, you who are praised
Nor kindled from the fire of your blame, any kindlers

9. He saw an ambition higher than the stars and gauged it
By his ambition, indeed things are gauged by their like

10. He waited before lofty aspirations and did not behave
Like an indifferent star followed by horsemen

11. My brother does not weary of supporting me
And does not see me standing while he is seated

12. He is far, yet near, laughing, exchanging whispers
In my seriousness and jest, defeating all nonsense

13. A noble youth who treats boon companions courteously
While the gathering remains seated, he stands

14. Generous of gifts, he does not compete in wealth
But in generous deeds, yes, he competes

15. Your father whom the people did not undo his cords
And whom the biting blade did not touch

16. He overcame the enemy’s plots, though without armor
With places the spear and horsemen protected

17. The Banu Hajib al-Numan are my comrades and family
For every man among his comrades there is an intimate

18. They prevented me from the claws of a calamitous
Snarling fate having the attack of lions as booty

19. And I grasped the reach of the palm from it, so I rent it
Though things nearby may be held back by obstacles

20. I address you with words you deserve
Even if the spying slanderers spurn what I say

21. Slanderers who surround him in front
Yet did not guard the affection which you guard

22. When your skin is pierced by their bite
They are wolves smelling blood, impetuous

23. Showing you honest joy while each conceals
In his soul the sickness of enmity and spite