1. What fire is it, in which wings are roasted,
And eyelids pour tears copiously?

2. Whenever a flashing lightning appeared, a passionate one raced,
And a tear flowed for it and it burst into tears.

3. A lovesick one who does not know blame in love,
Nor regards any rebuke, so he accepts no reproach.

4. What benefits the lovesick, O Sa’d, who spends
His night increasing his weeping or decreasing it?

5. Eyes have overwhelmed him completely, but do eyes
Ever feel overwhelmed except by their own tears?

6. And it gave him a cup of passion, and it was not
A passion that could be healed by any potion or drink.

7. What a youth suffers from falling in love! He was
Honorable before love, but then he lost dignity.

8. Passion has humiliated every honorable one,
And love leaves the most honorable as the lowliest.

9. And with my breath, redolent of kindness, I guard
What God has made unlawful for me from my blood to make lawful.

10. Say to our loved ones - does time still gather
Their presence from afar in the abode once more?

11. I have found no consolation but in you, and who else
Has a heart among others that can find solace?

12. Time has separated us through distance,
And decreed the banishment - it was not just!

13. Send us your apparitions, even if only in a dream,
Whose shadows wander in the night to arrive.

14. For the hopes that the sincerity of passion has watered
Through yearning for you may then sprout leaves.

15. Surely leaves that lamented on the branch with sadness -
I am more rightful than them in this lament!

16. Their lamentation has saddened us whenever they lament,
So it is as if those leaves, at that time, lost an infant!

17. It reminded me, and perhaps the remembrance would incite
A past time that is gone and an era that has ended,

18. And the gusts of a pasture whose traces of beauty lingered still
Dragging tails of meadows in their melodies,

19. Bathing the land of gazelles. And flashing therein
Is a downpour that pours drizzle and rain.

20. Can I heal bitter separation in the peacefulness of a meadow
Where its breeze blew gently and rose tall?

21. How many a dear visage from the house of Mays has visited,
So I said: welcome! And: enter easily!

22. Dreams have diverted me visions of it, but its era has passed
And I attained no union from that which I aspired.

23. When it confronted a passionate lover who then died of yearning,
And it turned away from the heat of passion and turned away,

24. Visiting like a mirage - it did not appear clearly to one who straining to see
Before the thirst disappeared and totally vanished.

25. And the nights show you every wondrous thing,
And increase perplexities with great intrigue,

26. And when the wonders of a vision fade away,
It establishes from the wonders of fate another vision.

27. Time has consumed the sweet and the bitter,
And I have drunk the days’ wine and vinegar.

28. And my mind refused me - if I were to consult
A group of the highest virtues - that I be neglectful,

29. I do not consult or consider or falsely claim
Or change my words - no!

30. My Lord has spared me appeasing a people
Who drank rancor and stinginess into their breasts.

31. By the father of al-Qasim, who pure was among all people -
A carpenter - and pure of origin and branch!

32. And if one were to count his outstanding traits,
The highest of outstanding traits would be his place!

33. Pride of the house of al-Zuhayr, and the lofty mountain peak
Has become, over mountains, most towering!

34. It casts shade over one who takes shade in its shade
We never fail to have it for magnificent shade!

35. Every day and each instant he has
A seeker attaining his request and goal.

36. By my father - abundant in giving - when he makes
Abundance through gifts to increase, he rises above any insignificance!

37. Over the minds of the intelligent, upon him
In matters requiring understanding and reason,

38. A safeguard for ideas from judgment’s error,
And guide of thought from going astray.

39. God has enlightened for you an intelligent heart -
The darkness of doubt in it, no doubt - has been unveiled!

40. He has left the land, by his hands, fecund,
In an era which leaves fecundity desolate.

41. How many hands are those hands that have poured forth
And unleashed from clouds of generosity a deluge!

42. Surpassing who comes later in merit a far lead,
And close pursuit of the beautiful by whoever was before!

43. God and all people bear witness together
That he is the one with the cutting sword that does not fail!

44. And if you were to unsheathe it, exposing the polished blade
As your right hand unsheathed its sharp sword,

45. And by what appears to me of him plainly,
Glory has read his line and dictated!

46. O sword that you have brandished proudly,
The whetstone of manliness has polished it smooth!

47. From an illustrious one whom God has ennobled in the world -
To tower high in nobility and sublimity!

48. In which assembly has your name not been
A verse of your handsome mention being recited?

49. You have related steadfastness and dignity in adversities
And composure through tribulations and nobility.

50. The daughters of ideas have accepted none but
Their equals from the noblest of people as husband!

51. O you who grants favor - the favor is hopeful -
May God clothe you, as long as you live, in favor!

52. Before this, your blessings have dressed me
In a new coat of honors that will never wear out!

53. Every day my eyes see you as a celebration
To one such as I, and I do not envision the like of you!

54. So when I say any words in your praise,
I am told: you are the most truthful of people in speech!

55. So with what blessing and favor upon me
With which your hands have burdened me heavily with gratitude,

56. The celebration in which you exist will never cease to return,
Cycle after cycle, with joy!