1. I was kept awake by lightning flashing in the horizon,
How I wish its gleam would last!

2. By evening it begins to spread its colors over the horizons,
As if the atmosphere was set ablaze and turned to blood by it.

3. It pierces through the gloom and the darkness of night,
Like embers scattering from thick clouds.

4. A shining star resting for a while,
The night laughs and the horizons smile.

5. It wearied me and made my country flee
To fair faces upon which beauty resides.

6. A people who resent favor, and if they give
Something unintended in passion, they regret it

7. And order us to be patient from meeting them!
But how can we when their vestiges are with us?

8. An old hag blamed me for having white hair,
Yet some white hair appears with no aging.

9. Do not complain of what did not afflict you,
None complains of the white hair save the feeble and sick.

10. White hair like an ember thrown amidst the wings of night,
Or darkness receding before the first lights of dawn.

11. I was not treated unjustly before this white hair that now treats me unjustly,
By one who oppresses me all my days.

12. O my friend, apart from you Na’man is filled
With sickness whenever Na’man is recalled.

13. How many killed there intentionally without retaliation taken,
And how many oppressed their lovers without judge!

14. How many failed what we stipulated,
Deaf to our words however much we spoke!

15. Convey peace thither where love gathers
On slopes where the stray and secure gather.

16. The recluse is censured, though I did not advise him foolishly,
And whoever reproaches you first is suspect.

17. Were it not for his affectation none who love him
Would have tied the rope or cut it off.

18. O abode of rain pouring in torrents,
Goaded by the clamor of birds in tremors

19. As if its clouds are veils let down in drapes
Within which the blind recover sight or the mute speak.

20. It quenched the abodes, giving from its coffers what they could hold
Without need or fatigue remaining.

21. Domains wherein mothers of kings reside,
Wherein is prodigal generosity and bounty.

22. Sweet water offered freely to all who come,
Wealth oppressed through favor and usurped.

23. An inviolate corner the days do not fear
Nor dread termination however mighty.

24. It shelters both visitors and inhabitants within,
The nearest of kin serving foreign guests.

25. A giver, withholder, taking and giving freely whatever repute he wishes,
Conferring favor, pardoning for a time, then punishing.

26. He throws its first fruits upon each grower,
Praise be unanimous; wealth divided!

27. As for your channel, O king of kings, it still
Repels attackers when the ignorant assault it,

28. Deaf to their taunts, they retreat from it
With fingers bloodied by its stabs—in agony.

29. You endured the flames of war when ignited
And the day burnt hot between both hosts.

30. A day that lions of the wild charge forth
While your horsemen, their horsemen, encounter resolutely.

31. On tumultuous ground the steeds race headlong,
As if maddened, shaken by their mettle’s fire.

32. Pushed beyond limit by the horses crammed together,
Hooves and shoulders taxed but undeterred.

33. And a band of youths like the meteors’ sparks they bear
Perils and noble deeds however severe,

34. Veiled from indecency without exception
As if save what is good they had no knowledge.

35. When they aided the moon cloaked in night’s robe
Or rescued the lion surprised in his den, betrayed,

36. How they subdued many a hero without being subdued!
And defeated many champions without being defeated!

37. And exhausted the pride of many an honored lord
Who now staggers under the load or is smothered in ruin!

38. You instilled in them manners that give them mettle
To plunge into straights from which the brave fled routed.

39. They advanced though the cunning plot closed in upon them
When they saw you plunging into terrors headlong.

40. Who can inform the lord in far domain
That reticence about you would be more becoming!

41. You deemed distance safety, a sanctuary,
While security there lies in your purpose alone.

42. And every outcast—though cast out—still enters
The aura your glorious kingdom sheds.

43. Like the circling sun, you are far yet near at hand
As people and nations bask in its warmth.

44. But you were deluded by ignorance, thinking
You could steal what you fancied was yours!

45. Seize the peace he grants; fear his wrath—
Peace from the likes of him should be welcomed!

46. Grasp the reins of punishment he metes out
For with him only bonds of debt are honored.

47. Buwayhids, may God perfect the blessings he gave you
And maintain authority invested forever in you.

48. And you, O king of kings, may you live forever!
By the grace you showed us all are now graced!

49. Continue to enjoy this Nayruz as we await
Hopes reaching heights never attained by feet before,

50. Attaining all ambitions however far-reaching, through you—
Channels of blessings forever flowing to you!