1. Is this praise in your words or magic
And the diction of poetry unraveled or pearls

2. And nothing formed it but the morning and engraved it
The darkness and those letters the shining stars

3. Its meanings almost melt with gentleness
And from its edges drip water and wine

4. If the dead were called in the grave by its likeness
For him would be from folding his shrouds an uncovering

5. The night of sorrow stretched over me as though
From it emerged the dawn or the full moon rose

6. And I had not seen a path before it but delightful
Nor a young camel led and without bride price

7. Speech kept its distance when I wanted it
And I was, though poetry contents me little

8. And I used to blame the misers, naturally
So woe to them, even those of prose and verse

9. And my patience failed me, and the intentions were not steadfast
So glory did not stand by me when gratitude failed me

10. And if I did not find a quarter I dissolved in tears
It is drops falling in vain, no rain sustained me

11. And oh how excellent was the time which delighted at first
And soured at last, nor was the time excellent

12. So would that my poetry inspires longing in you
And far be it you are consoled when Egypt is far

13. I hope for the loyalty you deserve
And I fear a time of treacherous temperaments

14. By God, my heart which harbored it said farewell
To you and patience at a stance

15. Abu Hasan, you are but a cloud
With every drop of it a pouring rain

16. So leave off mention of the misers for they are
Lies of news embarrassed by honesty

17. For in a year of meeting no hour was missed
And the hour of absence I do not see you long

18. And none graceful but your presence and talk
And no Hatim but the dew of your overflowing palm

19. And not every neighbor is really preceding
Nor every one moving in the belly of night shining

20. So be absent from certainty your person is present
Resident, while my heart on your travels roams

21. Congratulations on victory from you a son refined
For his thoughts in every problem victorious

22. Patient with the war of time for his people
And his swords pens, not the short ones severed

23. I see you while between us the blue of distance
And the shooting stars the dust and the rolling green

24. And not everyone given authority glorious
Did you not see that straw resembles saffron