1. When will a sore liver find relief,
And a lovelorn heart get what it longs to have,

2. When will a hopeful get his wish,
While his entrails burn with a blazing fire?

3. The band turned back on the fateful day,
And lit a blaze in my guilty heart,

4. A phantom guest startled me at night,
Stirring up sorrow in my sore liver.

5. My friend, is there a stopping place in the abode,
Where my streaming tears may find rest?

6. For we stopped there at the break of dawn,
While all in the band were lovelorn.

7. My eyes poured out the secret of my tears,
A secret the youth cannot conceal.

8. So I heed not the critics’ fear,
A man may leave even what is right.

9. If we forget the trysts of the lovely doe,
Her tattoo on the hill reminds us.

10. Happy was the day we spent at al-‘Aqiq,
Its painful day has passed and gone,

11. When the brilliant sun began to shine,
And the darkness of our night retreated.

12. The days of youth at al-Nuway’ have vanished,
Patience cannot make them return.

13. Do you deny you killed the roe of Sarim,
While your mole attests to this for me?

14. Why did you deliberately roil my blood,
And make lawful in love what is sin?

15. You judged me for the sin of loving,
And I submit to your judgment, resigned.

16. I said to those who blamed me for loving you:
“You know not that losing you left me blind.”

17. A lightning lit up the darkness for me,
Like a sword drawn suddenly from its sheath.

18. And craving for the roes of the sanctuary,
Made me lovesick, as passion makes one sick.

19. I wonder how the tender roes,
Can be hunted by their languid eyes.

20. Safe from the blades of the sharp swords,
Yet their glances give no respite.

21. The likes of them I fear to confront,
One like me confronts but is not confronted.

22. I craved you, O doe of the ruins,
This passion comes totally from you.

23. You decided to abandon your lover,
Yet the days of tryst are destined.

24. After you no drink quenched my thirst,
Nor food delighted my taste.

25. But I am patient with adversity,
A young man’s patience is most sublime.

26. My honor is pure and zeal is my defense,
My might does not contradict my resolve.

27. Were it not for the noble Iraqi jurist,
The generous and kind benefactor.

28. Time would not have apologized for its sin,
Nor the days sought forgiveness for their crime.

29. Praiseworthy virtues of Mahmud abound,
High above the peaks of glory lies his name.

30. Gentle, kind, of noble disposition,
This is the most generous and virtuous man.

31. His character tells of his morals,
His radiant smile speaks of his cheer.

32. He who hopes for favors from his palm,
Will not be deprived of his hands’ generosity.

33. His hands reach every captive neck,
And from them we received great boons.

34. I swear by your might, sincerely,
And swear not by other than your might.

35. You are peerless in this age,
Your path is the soundest path.

36. You are the pride, from you comes pride,
Let Adam be proud of your like!

37. You built with your soul the house of glory,
Never to crumble till the end of time.

38. You understood the symbols of problems,
While others cannot understand them.

39. You uncovered the obscurities of complexities,
Through your discoveries, the ambiguous became clear.

40. You possess the eloquent proofs,
The pious Muslim acknowledges them.

41. Your answers, my master, leave me silent,
And your advice, my master, is conclusive.

42. What is sweet in taste wanes in your displeasure,
And what is bitter in your gifts turns sweet.

43. When you write, the mind is the sword,
In your fingers lies might and firmness.

44. Your prose outshines the necklace of pearls,
So the meanings are threaded into gems.

45. Too little I gained of what you deserve,
While your status is far greater and higher.

46. I widely spread your excellent qualities,
My religion and wealth lie in your praise.

47. For in your company I seek refuge,
And in your covenant, I find strength.

48. In you I confide my deepest secrets,
In you I subdue the enemies' pride.

49. I congratulate you on the feast, O our joy!
For you are our greatest delight.

50. Despite their envy, your merit is acknowledged,
And the dumb speak eloquently of your praise.

51. Grant me your approval, for in it lies wealth,
Your approval is the profitable gain.