1. Among the horizons there remained no man of letters
Except that my compositions would refine him

2. I concealed from the astute minds a virtue
That grew upon me as the aroma grows upon perfume

3. The thieves encroached upon it as though it were
The crack of youth which grey hair had traversed

4. And time holds a lesson for one who tries
If experience would benefit one there

5. Oh abode between the two signs and Babylon
Pockets of clouds have parted over you

6. And blessed is your soil, accustomed to downpour
Lest morning breeze or south wind disturb it

7. Yearning camels arrived to you devoid of vigor
Their passions blowing upon landmarks as they trot

8. They began blaming virtuousness and wealth
For every unjust hoard that has no reckoning

9. If bestowing nobility is praiseworthy of him
Then one who borrows it is utterly condemned

10. Woe to the goodness of living in the shade of wealth
And honor if not for it being God-given

11. If not for it quenching thirst or satisfying swords
How often the riding camel kneels over meadows

12. How delightful are the Euphrates waters if only
It could quench the thirst of one given to drink

13. In death relief is found from the pain of humiliation
The wretched - their lives are but torment

14. And I pierced the darkness of night with a swift arrow
Its straight course made unnecessary by the fold’s enclosure

15. And a warbling voice, coiled as snakes pretend
Delightedly fluttering round were flocks of Arak trees

16. It attained heights as if fearing loss
Thus it is desirous, covetous and keen

17. And when travel awakened him, he said to his eyes
Oh eyes, what share of rest do you possess?

18. Seeking security through men is a shortcoming
And who is safe when their death is prescribed?

19. Their skins have grown cold to the bite of humiliation
While your brother - even steel is pliable

20. He attained courage and contentment thus deeming equal
In his eyes the detested and the coveted

21. He disobeyed kings, so a refined woman obeyed him
The friend was absent - barely did he disappear

22. Every slender maiden donned a coat of armor
Impossible to penetrate were its interlinked rings

23. And when the winds were roused, they sighed
Among them as the anguished heavily sighs

24. Iraq - and I do not lie to you - is a gang
Whose shepherd has slept, so where is the wolf?

25. Its structure is plunder by ravages and its people
Are a lashing torment poured over them

26. They ruled while an ignorant band crowned them
Pleasing neither the mind nor erudition

27. All virtues to them are spurned
While the freeman among them is an odd stranger

28. Is there no gallant who would soar to his needs
Ascending as the scattering winds ascend?

29. Calling to the shade of the banner a band
As bees scattered among whom no dearth was found

30. A horseman of refined manners from every breed
Galloping - a downpour with abundant showers

31. They competed striking the riding camels’ howdahs that were
As warped planks struck by a toy xylophone

32. And they launched into the liver of the sky a comet
Its tail drawn above the glowing embers

33. Where is the eminent in verified facts by name
Sufficiently capable, conferring, revered?

34. Or is there none after my father Shujaa to hope for
In this world, not even sought?

35. And gather it opportunities against the likes of it
So the weak grow strong and defeat the defeated

36. Oh rider, convey to the neighbor of Sawa
That the road has been smoothed and trodden

37. And intone to Ismael, if you meet him
Words that have wounds whose scars remain

38. I call you, Most Able of the able, for an ailment
Exhausted with none but You as its healer

39. And the accustomed of customs has overflowed its banks
A wound at the hands of torment - how immense

40. Spring sends forth the lead of every valley
So the critic says, blaming the Milestones

41. When the pots have settled, we say Hazeem
Triumphed, awaiting the melting of snow

42. How oft hopes wrong the aspirations
Among you, and the stricken bears its shadows

43. Long have we, and your father, blamed misfortune
An era with you near while hoping was the beloved

44. So when will I see you relieving gloom
Parting its heavy fog while it is strange?

45. Guiding the regiments, exposing a Sunnah
That would suffice when the radiant light is veiled

46. None remains in the times but you, expected
To be called to relieve any dilemma, and respond

47. You excelled with the title you were given
And none but you excelled the conferred name

48. Their great numbers do not daunt you
The courageous are certainly failed by coveting

49. Ready your steeds and cast them at their equals
Eyes and hearts aspire towards you

50. You have tested people in what you have cast them
Thus you know what requital and rewards to confer

51. Never shall a deceiver from them evade you
While you watch closely over the hearts

52. Make the love we confer on the weak their mount
The love we confer - its back is mounted

53. Resolve with determination not deterred
By ascension or alignment from its concern

54. None attains the farthest goals but the piercing
Unwavering as the course of the noble stars

55. Filled with hatred of life and love of it
Nature and composition alert to both

56. And dispersing his spear among the knights
In every breed among them a flowing spring