1. Her habit is to reproach, and reproach is for me
I would have avoided torment, had I not been passionately in love

2. My critic saw my body as something novel, so he disapproved
Little did he know that I was acting out of love

3. How could I not when my soul prefers the branch, the dew,
And loves the moist clover and fresh anemone

4. A beauty with a supple figure, her charm so wondrous
That the motions of her swaying only added to her charm

5. The hand of a tender youth could wound her body
If his fingers were to touch her lightly in embrace

6. Though I excel in love she finds fault if I make a mistake
So how could life burden me so with injustice?

7. I'm difficult, yet love has tamed me to her
It’s no surprise that love has gentled the severe

8. Swift to betray, her sword is in her glances
What peace with one created for war?

9. A garden of beauty, songbirds twitter
Among her jewelery, seeking pearls not love

10. Her smooth neck and forehead match the rest
Though her smile and glances don't suit that band

11. Her sickly eyes hold such magic
Weeping tears of blood and sorrow

12. I drank deep of her gaze and knew sweet drunkness
Only to get bitterness from her that's drunk like wine

13. Though I'm full, the pure water is chilled
No matter how much I drink of its goodness

14. Who will bring me a cup to quench my burning thirst
Drawing clear draughts from its chaste spout?

15. They say, "Doesn't love's passion console you?"
But what consoler can lead me along that rugged path?

16. Her breath is most fragrant in the fading twilight
Her smile is most tempting, her glances most sublime

17. Rosy, she lets down her hair in the fetters of intoxication
And frees the heart from the shackles of grief

18. Born between her water and fire
Is a pearl that cannot be pierced

19. She was hard, then nature softened her
So many sparks in the cup her drinking scattered!

20. My hearing was deaf to her murderous words
Her threats gave me life, her blows were like caresses

21. She left in a passion, though the breeze was fragrant
I let her go, leaving behind only the scent that blew

22. We drank by a flashing light as if it were
A firebrand in the blackness of night blazing bright

23. Galloping, a dashing warrior like a shooting star
Leaping in the east, trailing sparks in the west

24. As if whips of hail were flying from him
Scourges loosed by the clouds he races under

25. While life runs its pleasant course
The tail of youth drags behind like a cloud's train

26. Nights where wishes are fruitful are safe
Like days of life without fear of misfortune

27. He is the descendant of Tameem ibn Maez
Whose glorious stars rise high in the sky

28. He is the protector king, guiding with wisdom
Filling his enemies' hearts with terror

29. Whenever that protector is asked for water
You see his right hand pouring out rain

30. He built from the tower of generosity what his ancestors built
And protected Islam with his sword as they did

31. For his enemies he readied every sharp sword
That strips their souls away as plunder

32. Battalions loom over which his banners rise
Like hands outstretched unfolding books

33. The zeal of his warriors reveals men's inner thoughts
Laying low the mighty lion in battle

34. When eulogy's finery falls short
For one who finds it spacious when describing him

35. Praise that makes the sun seem but a spark for him
While nothing lush on earth makes a home for him

36. He hears the plea of one who seeks justice
Yet hears not the blame of one who would reproach him

37. Who can hold back the sea from the flood of its tide
When it Surges forth roaring from its depths?

38. When the water wheels of war are set spinning
He is their axle, their pillar

39. A courageous hero, his brave deeds many
Dragging garments tattered in combat

40. His sword strips the hair from heads in its swing
Its dealings with hearts like a preying wolf's

41. He wades through the blood of heroes in the fray's din
Staining it red when the sparks fly

42. He knows fate's mysteries with keen insight
As if he sees the future with his own eyes

43. If a man of prestige distances him, he draws near
If a helpless man calls him, he quickly responds

44. He dispels poverty with wealth
And remedies disgrace with honor

45. He would shame the disobedient were it not for his forbearance
Else their necks would wear the chokers of his rebuke

46. He counts every crowned king as his fathers
Who gifted him with wealth and fertile land

47. To them, the terrified have a refuge
When war's spears clash with spears

48. Kindling fury in the sheath's folds
The kind that satisfies war's wrath

49. If they try to cleave skulls, they bare
Blades that thrive in fire or wooden clubs

50. And if raised above the horizons they rain down
Death pangs from their blows in leaps

51. Indeed, Yahya's battlegrounds have become
As if he leads all souls willingly pulled

52. I roamed his lands humbly though might distance,
Exalts nearness even from afar

53. I saw no ambition but found it lofty
No nation but found its mount