1. She has no respite, ceaselessly
Roaming the land, descending and ascending.

2. Whenever the fever's lightning flashes for her,
She scatters a necklace of teardrops.

3. I do not deny she has cause for weeping -
Indeed she bore witness to love.

4. So where does she wander, and for whom
Does she tread the wilderness or stir the dust?

5. Yearning has kindled its fires in her,
So she blazes with the flames of passion.

6. The fire dies down, yet I see
No languor in the ardour of her devotion.

7. O my dear friends and the fetters of love,
You have exceeded the heart's bounds in passion.

8. Grieving for you wore down my endurance
Till longing rekindled my fervour anew.

9. On the day you left me, after I had been
As hard against time as ice, I grew weak.

10. You broke the pact of guidance between us,
Though we had made covenants regarding it.

11. Who will restore to me in the valley of grief
A time now past, and when can it return?

12. I remember a halt at Zarud, where
God watered the alive sands of Zarud.

13. Among the herd was a wild-eyed gazelle
To make the heart quail and snare the lions.

14. My soul held a branch whose scent
I savour no wine or cool water above.

15. The bough stole perfume, its stature upright,
The gazelles graceful of glance and neck.

16. Rebuke not my ignorance regarding it –
Love disdains all save to increase.

17. You who blame, desiring to guide me,
Leave me be. Wander if you are rightly guided!

18. For he in whose life was my life
Long made me drink the cup of separation.

19. Unlawful that I see his charm,
Even if in love for him I die a martyr!

20. The battalions of love overpowered me –
For love has over the passionate armies.

21. Show me the rose and basil together,
Cheek pressed to cheek, branch to branch.

22. Lead us, O she-camels, O best
Of the best, O strong and mighty pillar!

23. If you journey with us, then perhaps
Your course will bring you safe to Ali.

24. In his presence you will see no frowning face,
No breast closed off when you meet him.

25. Abundant are his blessings,
And his aid profits the profiter.

26. The nearer I draw to his noble court,
The nearer draws a hope once distant.

27. When the auspicious star rose into view,
We saw in that face our rising fortune.

28. Swifter than all to keep his word,
And if he promises, he makes good his threat.

29. The House whose lights have shone out
Left no chance for Satan's guile.

30. And if you inquire about his sons,
Then mention his fathers and forefathers.

31. Opinions take from him their rectitude,
And he shows them what is right and proper.

32. Gentle of manner, his strength within
Melted his foes like iron in the forge.

33. Fettered are the rebellious words, so
No bonds or shackles can they cast off.

34. Through his sons God preserved
The essence of glory, elegant and refined.

35. Raising the banner of guidance,
Binding religion firmly with cords.

36. In a House God permitted
That we see Him as their pillar.

37. Swords of God, when unsheathed
They cut the life-vein of polytheism.

38. A generous, kind lord is he, excelling -
The generous left slaves to kindness.

39. Thus the nobles in his presence
Stand straight before him, seated.

40. From his hand rain poured sweet water
To make flowers grow in merit’s garden.

41. You see pens bowing in his praise,
Dictating his qualities in prostration.

42. O son of the cave of succour and rain clouds
That never ceased sending bounty.

43. You are the sea, and through you still
I draw from the endless ocean.

44. If we come to a spring from your Nile,
We will never leave save with roses.

45. None but you are the goal of yearning,
In none but thanking you will I voice a poem.

46. O lover of good, who is himself good –
May we never lack you, sought or seeker!

47. It is no innovation or wonder if
I compose a poem and song in your praise.

48. Your kindness has left me
In your raining clouds’ verdant meadow.

49. And if I string together her merits,
It would be a precious pearl necklace.

50. So congratulations on the decoration
From our Sultan, initiating and repeating glory!

51. That day on which it conferred
On the nobles of Baghdad a feast day.

52. A king he sent proudly,
And by him my Master sent the courier.

53. She has not ceased ascending through ranks,
Though the envious slander her.