1. When we said farewell, O home
Speak well, prove by words your affection

2. Thought made you dear, so you accept
Pillars wearing away with time

3. Where is the covenant of protection we took refuge in
Those I made pacts with, where are the living ones

4. Where ruins and relics shine
Not pleased with Capella's stars as dwellers

5. Days that broke the branch of eternity and picked
All sorts of fruits from the vine of communion

6. O abode south of Ghouta’s two hills, morning
Stirs passions with memories

7. Is a beloved past returning, when I was young
And spent my youth within your cradle

8. Should your successors, like clouds, deprive me
I have tears now to water your trace

9. As if leaning within the home’s courtyard
The pillar's shade waters the garden, bent over

10. And O fleeting days of youth that visited and left
Was I aught but an amusement for revelry’s eye

11. My bond with your neighbourhood where beauties dwell
Is the finest company of a graceful cheek

12. A gazelle glancing with the corner of an eye heedless
Looks to you with the glances of a fawn

13. Hypha she poured youth’s wine on her tresses
And beauty clothed her with temptation

14. A frightened gazelle, if faced by the dark moon
It would hide shyly below the horizon

15. She uncovered what was more delicious to my liver
Than juice, though I came thirsty

16. I won't forget her walking towards me, embracing
While separation kindles fires in the heart

17. At farewell she leaned, confused towards
A youth, for accustomed company is confused when parted

18. Pearls of tears fell scattered
While pearls are seen when coral is shattered

19. She says, while separation's ships have moored
And tears flow in torrents down the cheeks

20. When we said farewell, O home
You hoped my return would make you homelands

21. So I said no, by He who made you human
Or seek refuge in the asylum of Ibn Bustan

22. Chief Judge of Damascus, our Master
Treasure of guidance, the most generous patron

23. He reached its shining garden so it was filled
With safety and prosperity protecting its people

24. The birds sang within it at dawn
Because it grew a meadow and basil

25. So it became one of the eternal gardens
With Radwan seeking favor from the Merciful

26. When the flag of knowledge flew in its symbols
All acknowledged its superiority, submitting

27. With its mind night’s wisdom remains protected
When the winds of vanity scatter all reason

28. It is not tempted by the world’s ambitions
And nothing is seen but benevolence without stinginess

29. It drags the train of pride holding nothing
Except modesty, its heart guarded from sins

30. With an ambition in the sky of glory lofty
Not pleased with the stars of the orbits as peers

31. And a rising adorned by God with His power
Which He drafted for the script of beauty

32. And tranquility like generous, heavy clouds
Pouring dew, though the sky betrays not its trusted

33. And good manners like the garden’s blossoms decorated
If made of sin’s sweet the good would be filled

34. And a mind which if traversing an obscure night
Would fatigue people’s hearts and ears

35. It appears making clear to minds
A face more compassionate to the sleepy eye

36. And speech which if clouds grasped its speech
One day it would drag the train of clouds

37. Solving problems, unlocking the locked
Enlightening the mind’s dilemmas, truly knowing

38. O noble one tiring minds with his speech
Both Arabs, ‘Adnan and Qahtan

39. For you is the camel litter whose speeding
Once walked atop the horse litter's cargo

40. We see him sometimes judging souls
Other times generously granting souls

41. My Master, O Kaaba of superiority, your
Door is hope’s destination for ships of resolve

42. The best place of rest the far lands
Heard its call, camels of determination racing

43. Not the aggressive sea, time, lion, or clouds
More beneficial than your knowing hand

44. Or truer than your kindness however small
Or sweeter than your benevolence however little

45. And your letter came humbly folded
Seeking your care though great men refused

46. An asylum bearing arms white and red
Provisions for the visitor, a meadow for the rider

47. A refuge for the mystic, a lodge for the compassionate
An asylum for the questioner; through it my life is eased

48. Walks not upright but bends like the garden’s branches
Ashamed amidst the garden’s candy

49. Seeking your approval, hoping your compassion
To a lover whose love is gently tasted

50. Your servant the son of Al-Tala’i has been
Betrayed by time, which betrayed us

51. I do not complain but of his sons though
I masked my speech, so note what was implied

52. Who but you is hope for this matter, O my wish
So favor me and be my aid against events

53. While days have corrupted with malice
Still you build for benevolence a structure

54. Greetings as long as a star rises or
The sun shines and the breeze shakes the branches

55. It cries between Damascus’ two gardens, your
Moonshine neighbor accustomed to company and separation