1. A melancholic heart in love grows
The more he's blamed, the more alone he knows

2. His tears did rain, his life in gloom
Complaining of cruel longing, lit with flames

3. A lover hid his love from blamer's eyes
In platonic love, what's hid and seen belies

4. So her eyes slew him, while her glances' arrows
Struck with intent and purpose shot his marrow

5. How can he show restraint, when not a day
Passes without the pangs of love hold sway

6. Don't blame me, youthful love has built a fence
Between me and all fault and censure hence

7. Tears pooled in eyes accustomed to his aloofness
To shut when he was near, feigning sleepiness

8. The fiery anguish that I bore
Made rivers run from my tears evermore

9. All serenity is lost to loving souls
So pains of loss have made them strong and bold

10. Whene'er a critic chides me for my state
I say, "good critic, let me be, depart of late"

11. Oh how many nights, darkness covers all
You'd think the stars above had lost their squall

12. I stay awake, though sleep eludes me still
And from my streaming tears, my lids I fill

13. I think of branches, when together we would walk
Whene'er I think of her shapely figure and her talk

14. And the flock who passed as we sat side by side
My glances felled them like lions take down deer with pride

15. Who will bring back days now passed away
When revelry and joy filled every day?

16. My friend, remember when youth and mirth
Lit our path, and time had little worth?

17. When you left, travelling with haste
Torches lighting your path post haste

18. We've recalled you since you left this place
Do you still think of us, our covenant retrace?

19. If but union could be bought,
With my soul I'd see you, price unthought

20. For me, the sum of youthful love
Is will strengthened when desires speak thereof

21. May clouds give you drink and your homes
Lightning and thunder become familiar tones

22. When the fragrant southern breeze passes you
May it carry scents of citrus and flowers too

23. The phantom came, no agony I've known
Like the pain of loss, or solitude intone

24. Had I gained a tear of that visage
I'd mix it with wine, and call it a vintage

25. Tell me, now that you are known to me
How can I live on, with no trace of thee?

26. Where are the season of youth, the days of cheer
When life was all frolic and joy and nil fear?

27. When you left I wept day and night
My tears like rain pour down in my plight

28. The longing ignites when memories light
Renewing itself, not ceasing its bite

29. My tears flowed nonstop from the pain
My eyes couldn't hold them back again

30. Though to youth my love I attribute
Jest it became, and earnest to boot

31. And to Abdel Hameed I was ascribed
Gems of poetry, so my name survived

32. Scholar of Basra, chief judge therein
None can match his standing amongst his kin

33. His word is the final say in any affair
Vanquishing falsehood, defeating enemies bare

34. The truth appears plain in his command
Settled, with justice his rulings stand

35. Gratitude for his grace is incumbent on me
For blessings from a generous hand flow free

36. A master, his kindness and righteousness endured
To the prosperous his goodness continuously poured

37. He tamed the intractable, led to the heights
Where e'er he went, leadership was his right

38. Did you ever see one of more grace
Or a day when hope shined more upon a face?

39. With open arms, creator of all that lives
Forever bestowing, never once gives

40. Count me God's blessings through him
I cannot number the gifts that originate from him

41. Noble hands that have left the noble of tribes
Slaves of goodness, virtue in their lives

42. Blessed Basra, in his day
May she never loss his wise and gentle sway!

43. Of pleasant manner and disposition fair
His fame has spread through deserts and every where

44. Pillar of glory, unique among the elite
Embodiment of virtue, may God make him complete

45. With the sword of truth and God's support
He returns falsehood's schemes to naught

46. Many a brave soul have found their need
In the pearls of wisdom his tongue has freed

47. So I strung them into a poem, my pride
To adorn the brow of this age in its prime

48. The worry of time is subdued in his presence
A barrier he forms between my soul and pestilence

49. Luxury is for those in whose shade
Lived in joy and delight, their gold never fade

50. Whene'er he glances upon me
Misfortune is reversed, anguish flees

51. He ransoms me, the best of men that preside
I'd ransom him with my soul, my father and guide

52. He who loves you most truly
Loves glory sincerely and duty

53. Singing your praise the years long span
Raising your glory as high as I can

54. So I present this gift, your servant, supplicant
Please accept these words your servant grants