1. The flash of lightning stirred passion in you
I almost thought it was from Sa'd's mouth

2. Night covered us with its wings and tenderness
As if it had stripped its sword from its sheath

3. It kindled a fire in the darkness of the night
We found warmth from it in our innermost being

4. Passion gripped us after jesting
And how much does passion jest before becoming serious

5. My friend, remember in sorrow my loyalty
For I remember in sorrow the loyalty

6. And days when I was faithful to companions
And living with loved ones was prosperous

7. How I sighed in that time for gazelles
And plucked roses and picked flowers

8. For the pleasures of fleeting days
That passed their time never to return

9. If you pass by the abode of Mayy
With those slender and tall maidens, don't go beyond it

10. To fulfill, O Hudhaym, rights upon us
Obligations that must be carried out

11. Do you remember the day we came upon it
On she-camels hastening their pace

12. And we drove on the flock quickly from Najd
Leaving Najd behind the flock

13. We overlooked the stages of Darisaat
Where the firing of flints was painful and pitiful

14. Stirring up sorrows and tears of the eye
Supplying the eye with what it supplied

15. If our dwellings were created
I saw passion in them afresh

16. I controlled my standing beside it
But could not control the flowing of this tear

17. If I gave it to another one of my eyes
It would grant me comfort and extend generosity

18. It wandered from my cheeks to my eyelids
And I don't know from where it wandered

19. If the narrative of my passion reached you
You would know what is conveyed to you from me

20. The singers have forsaken me, so there is no way
To well-being, nor aid from Sa'd

21. And I contended with fate, so fate contended with me
Misfortunes that did not cease to be hostile

22. So if I show the days contentment with them
I have indeed harbored hatred

23. I will leave for the spy in every land
A despicable one from his lurking and affection

24. Just as for Ibn al-Jamil, Abi Jamil
Spies of aspirants he defied

25. So he reaches his goal and attains honor
A noble one even if I intend for him a purpose

26. So how Abi Jamil Ibn al-Jamil turns away
And we turn to him in gratitude and praise

27. It is soon that if his hand irrigates inanimate matter
Through his bounty it produced aromatic plants and myrtle

28. When he determines auspiciousness I determine prosperity
And if he rises, I rise to happiness

29. He attained the most high and extended
To what cannot be attained and went beyond limits

30. He is the loftiest and most impregnable of mountains
Before whom mountains bow down in humility

31. May God perpetuate in Zoraa shadow for him
From it he stretched over us and prolonged

32. And protect its people from the plots of calamities
Even if the plots of calamities have passed

33. So its dignity remains intact even if shaken
If shaken, it would shake a mountain

34. And which crisis has he not been called to
And did not extend a stronger arm to it

35. And bounty, benefaction and grace
To which he hastened and exerted himself

36. The beautiful son of the beautiful for every freeman
Who hopes for his favor and provision

37. Tell the delegation, their farthest reach to him
Has sent the most generous delegations

38. With his bounty he leaves every freeman
In that benefaction a servant to him

39. And an overflowing hand, the sea because of it
Nearly extends itself endlessly

40. The bitterness of anger we testify that there is no
Reward for his chastity but blows and persecution

41. A father who is not oppressed, and many an oppressor
Has striven to reach his side, so he stumbled

42. Brave, swords have not been drawn
Except he rendered the sides of enemies as scabbards

43. The pillar of religion and world altogether
And the sword of God and the strongest pillar

44. Your virtues which I have strung like pearls
For the neck of time a necklace

45. Your existence gives existence its life
Without you its body would waste away

46. Some stinginess is a deficiency and blame
Your existence has not ceased to be honor and glory

47. By my soul I have from you an honored white sword
Sharper than the edge of a polished sword

48. That shines with the brilliance of an Indian blade
Unsheathed from either scabbard or sheath

49. I have known people thoroughly
And have not known for it among people a match

50. You have excelled above all in every merit
No wonder if you have become singular

51. Glories and heights have come to you
And who the like of you can be come to

52. Among the glorious there is none higher in rank
Nor firmer and more penetrating than your spear

53. None more faithful, of broader scope than you
Nor higher in rising to the most high

54. So be well and safe as we wish and desire
To please a friend and vex a foe

55. For if you are safe with the heights
We do not fear for all people loss

56. My virtues which I have composed for the neck of time like pearls
Your existence gives life to existence

57. And were it not for you its body would have decayed
Some stinginess is a flaw and blame

58. Your existence has not ceased being honor and glory
By my soul, I have from you an honored white sword

59. Sharper than the polished blade's edge
Shining with the brilliance of an Indian scimitar

60. Bared without scabbard or sheath
I have known people thoroughly

61. And have not known your match amongst them all
You have excelled above all in merit

62. No wonder you stand alone
Glories and summits came making pilgrimage to you

63. Who can match one such as you in being visited?
Amongst the glorious, none is higher ranked

64. Nor firmer and more penetrating than your lance
None is more faithful, broader in scope than you