1. Ask the ruins if they would answer back
Or give ear to a love-smitten heart's attack

2. Meadows where the lover used to stand
With tears flowing there and back again

3. Reproaching fate for neglecting it
for the free soul reproaches fate now and then

4. The nights did not respect it
And clothed it in gowns of neglect again

5. So it wept a copious, flowing tear
Like rain clouds pouring down without refrain

6. Whenever its dweller lets down its hair
It waters the lowlands and highlands terrain

7. Until my eyes fulfilled their rightful role
That is, if eyes beseech clouds and rain

8. The caravan paused by its ruins
Like an illiterate pausing to read and gain

9. Unable to recognize it, I stand
Wearing the garb of sadness and pain

10. I will show you my torment from a love
That showed me nothing but toil and disdain

11. Woe, were these their ruins?
Which arrow of fate did strike its domain?

12. The distance wept for it in blood
As if the distance's tears were henna stain

13. Its watering-place had turned sweet
But it made the water bitter and a bane

14. Where are the radiant faces that possessed
Perfection's bounty and beauty's gain?

15. How much did we delight in the moon of a place
Which set in the horizons like stars wane

16. And the times of joy that gathered
The pleasure of wine, Salma and tambourine

17. If we mention to one whose youth is spent
A past that flew by, he starts to complain

18. He'd think your being distanced was a lie
How thinking brought loss while hoping brought gain

19. I turned away from the one who said
Patience - though patience was not the sane

20. What's it to you to approach in love
A tender young love smitten and chained?

21. None is richer than I except through you
So grant me distance, nearing and abstain

22. What hope can I place in a band
Whom fate deters, like the crow and crane?

23. How can I seek worthy rain from clouds
They bound with pledges but distilled disdain?

24. Can a deceptive glimmer entice me?
It was no more than a phantom or mirage vain

25. I knew not people until after I'd
Tasted the sweet and bitter cup they contain

26. If chiefs rise high in glory
My fate is higher and a loftier terrain

27. A lord appears like the moon, one who
With his thoughts kindles a flaring flame

28. A peacemaker, he never failed to
Keep doing good and bestowing; a gain

29. Rewarding people with kindness and dew
While not hoping for any reward in attain

30. If asked for water, he brings the raincloud
And if called to goodness, gives ready acclaim

31. When he hears talk, he fears God
And when God is mentioned, inclines and is tame

32. Of the best stock, they descended
From glorious houses with wide domain

33. No flaws but one: miserliness
They see as shameful, and bounty their aim

34. Their hands planted the seed of dew
So avoid the fruit of thanks that ingrates obtain

35. A nation unfurled the train of glorious deeds
Wearing piety as their gown and robe's train

36. To glory, they set up wine glasses
And polished cups, white silk and Arabian strain

37. Revelation descends upon their homes
So ask the verses about them, and their Book's main

38. The bond of salvation, the path of guidance
They exposed the faces of truth without strain

39. This, their branch, stems from their origin
How good that chaste root was! How free of stain!

40. Hashimi and Alawi, striking
The highest peaks of glory's tower and vane

41. Laughing with joy when celebrated
As speech parts lips like flashings of pearls' chain

42. We contemplated you among all men
And from you found wonders and awe you sustain

43. O formidable and hoped-for protector
May you remain foreverawesome and sought as a mainstay

44. Your hands have granted me your refuge
Not chaining me, but others in your chains

45. You showed me how bounty flows forth
While for people seeking bounty, it's bane

46. Whenever I shut my door to it,
Your hand opened the door for bounty's rain

47. You made everything cheap for me
Finding, in your munificence, sand earth's terrain

48. So delight in the feast, excel in gaining reward
For the patience you had for God without complain

49. May God reward you well from us
And may we reward you with answered prayers of acclaim!