1. If a man is late in keeping a promise or appointment
Without excuse or pressing business to detain him, then blame him.

2. But if his tardiness springs from sudden illness
Or other misadventure, as when a relative falls ill,

3. Or he is afflicted with bodily pain and sorrow,
Then forgiveness is meet from the man of good repute.

4. But he who makes tardiness his habit,
With no excuse of business, pain or grief,

5. Him you should spurn and never more
Accept his shallow excuses before all men.

6. By God, I am a man of my word, no pretense or breach of faith
Have I committed. I have not lingered shamelessly,

7. Turning from you and from those witnesses here.
If you know anything contrary, then you know

8. More than one learned and wise.
If my tongue has uttered anything but what's in my heart

9. And openly professed before you,
Then I have slipped and you should pardon me

10. And overlook my lapse. Thus runs the ancient rede:
"A prophet or a scholar, if he stumbles in word or deed,

11. Is due your pardon and forgiveness, not rebuke."
Clemency and pardon for the trespasser!

12. If we never condoned, who then could we forgive?
Had I filled the lands full of my missteps,

13. I know you would efface them without wearying.
I cannot think Fate will afflict me with the shafts

14. Of misery and woe. I had supposed poverty
Must be my lot, since your word was not free

15. With bounty and gen'rosity, as if there was not one among you
Who, if asked, would do other than accede.

16. O you whose promises are kept, whose nature is nobility,
O lamp of our faith, O best of chieftains!

17. O son of the sword-girded ruler and heir
To the best of the Arabs in noble deeds and covenanted word!

18. Look kindly upon him who trusts in your forgiveness
For all the wrongs that in regret he does disown.

19. None that hoped in you was denied your pardon and favor,
Even as none found you stinting of bounty and grace.

20. To your love I have bound myself fast, an unbreakable tether,
And to affection for you that shall never dispel.

21. So live you in peace and security enduring,
And prosper, rejoice and be glad, smiling on us forever.