1. May Allah forgive that beloved, though he wronged me
The yearner summoned me with him in his enmity

2. His heart hardened at the words of a slanderer and envier
While my covenant with him was moist with tender love

3. With a glance and a smile his teeth and eyes gleamed
As though his gaze and brows were armed with arrows

4. With one look his gaze sufficed instead of striking with a stick
And with his stature he had no need to stab with a spear

5. Where are the tender branches of sweet basil when he bends?
And where are the shy gazelles when he sings?

6. What joy we knew in life for a night
As the cups circled among us in rapture

7. From a cup my troubles disappeared in drink
And from a rosy cheek what flowers were plucked!

8. Till the meadows donned their morning splendor
And the lilies replaced the jasmine blossoms

9. Recall those nights though they're gone
Never to return to us again

10. If such converse passed between us
The branches of sweet basil would bend over it and bow

11. And if the slanderer blamed me for passion
Proclaim whom you love, and spare me from hints

12. To God I complain of his wronging me unjustly
I make a place in my breast so he'll lodge there

13. I gesture toward the rising full moon
And it's him my gesture means to indicate

14. Oh woe my heart, how an eye has shot me
After learning well how to hunt its prey

15. My friend, will I enjoy union in days of separation?
Perhaps a phantom may visit the eye and console it

16. For were it not for the tears flowing down my cheeks
I would be alone, with no companion to weep with me

17. I kept faith with them though the distances have parted us
And affection was clearly declared between us

18. Indeed I keep faith with affection as is its due
And none shall tear down the affection I have built

19. No good is the love of a man whose heart changes
With the changing fortunes of time’s caprice

20. A friend is he who loves me though he sees me not
And keeps faith with loved ones between us

21. Generous is every noble soul who gains wealth for giving
And spends on the day of bounty the best he possessed

22. If I’m the richest of all people
Without Salman I have no wealth

23. When the caller calls his name in invocation
I have made it an omen of blessing for my birds

24. I looked upon the nobility, their beauty and aspect
But saw none lovelier than his splendor

25. Most generous of hand, abundant in bounty
Highest in rank, proudest in lineage

26. How they talked on the day of bounty about him
I said, “Here end the words of speech”

27. And he continues to relate poetry about his virtues
Tales of glory and grandeur, artfully told

28. In every ode whose strands his genius harvests
The eulogists have shown all their skill

29. By my life! He who since I knew him
If evil times were harsh has been kind

30. Stay far from me, by his loving side!
Who else have I, were he to draw near to a rose?

31. In him I find eloquence that's hard and weighty
Words of reproach, and blame that bore rebuke

32. When an argument appears in his reproach
Eloquence returns sincerity to speech that's gentle

33. Abu Mustafa, though I'm mute
My being still composes hymns in your praise

34. Abu Mustafa, my wish and purpose
Are death, though death itself is wished and purposed!

35. For my pride is in you, and you raise me high
Don't choose for me an abode of humiliation

36. Am I not a man who has placed in you his hopes
In a position deserving of thanks and praise?

37. Grateful am I for the bounty you have granted me
As befits one whose wont is benefaction

38. Nor did I think you would listen to a liar
And accept the words of falsehood from bastard stock

39. To replace affection with coolness toward me
And unjustly grow angry ere truth was clear

40. You who have tested me and tried me!
You who among people know well who I am

41. A father who perceives clearly, no sycophant
Close to fair deeds, distant from shame

42. My course was straight, I swear it, no wrongdoing
No, by God, your rejection was not light!

43. Make clear, clarify some matter you know fully
That you may discover the excuse between us

44. Grant me, though they claim me a wrongdoer,
Without trusting them, for you to show kindness

45. Be pleased then, my soul, leave what is past
For still you are pleased, still enjoying favor