1. Neither night's darkness nor morning's glimmer
Deters my longing thoughts of you, which ember

2. The flames of my desire will not let slumber;
Youthful passion burns until it gains its prize.

3. I spur my camel on though endless sands extend;
To reach the oasis where sweet water flows

4. Is my elusive goal, which impatience speeds.
Though far, each step brings nearer my repose.

5. Through darkest night I come, fear casts no blight
On Love's bright torch, my guide against despair.

6. As though the stars that light the vaulted height
Clustered as one to show my footsteps where.

7. Good fortune smiles on those who persevere
Through sorrow's night across misfortune's wake.

8. He who would drain Joy's fullest cup must bear
Hardship, and cherish all that hearts can break.

9. They alone know Love's sweetness undefiled
Who scorn the bitter tears by anguish shed.

10. Not for them the passing joys that bloom and fade,
But rapture eternal, changeless overhead.

11. Our nights together under passion's sky
Rained gentle dew from clouds of loving-kindness.

12. My streaming tears, drawn from sigh after sigh,
Watered our garden of delight to blindness.

13. Had Abraham beheld your radiant face,
He would have worshipped, humbled and amazed.

14. Great Ibrahim, Imam of truth and grace,
None shares the honor due you, justly praised!

15. My patron, your nobility adorns
All you bestow on me, and will not cheat.

16. True wisdom is a mantle, lightly worn,
That needs no outward show to be complete.

17. O best of men! Your generosity
Sustains both worthy and unworthy pleas.

18. For those who seek, your goodness is the sea
That floods with favor, and will never cease.

19. Your pearls of merit all who ask provide,
Though pearls themselves sleep silent in the deep.

20. Your virtue puts the glowing East aside,
And dims the splendor even of the West.

21. Awed by your glory, hearts of every kind
Bow down before you, conquered and subdued.

22. You mastered graces no others could find,
Defying efforts of the striving and shrewd.

23. Your noble feats humble seekers for your fame;
What lofty goals remain beyond your scope?

24. The wisest sages marvel at your name,
But you still leave them startled and agape.

25. Our age births none to match your brilliance, none!
You are most perfect son of most perfect sire!

26. Woe to your envious rivals, every one!
How dare they wish to grasp what you require!

27. You have no peer! None can compare but odd
As camel lamed beside gazelle at run.

28. Your utmost heights I do not dream to prod,
Or seek the sun when brightest courses done.

29. Exalted you, till your proud glory won
Peak above all, never attained before.

30. Years robed you like a crown their honors spun,
No greater wealth or glory to amass more.

31. Not Aleppo, if you were not its son!
For you shape all its fortune by your worth.

32. And Medina cares not where Muhammed gone,
Its only pride and glory is your birth.

33. Wherever greatness flowers, hearts and realms pay homage,
As rain enriches every land it blesses.

34. To you my soul speeds, heedless of grim presage,
Eager to clasp your presence it confesses.

35. Storms of cruel fate have struck with brutal rage,
I quail, uncertain if deliverance nears.

36. But Allah and your grace are my sure refuge
From dolor, beyond reckoning of years.

37. Joy in God's love is no unchanging possession,
His favor may be fleet, we cannot tell.

38. Who trusts the world's inconstant professions?
Fate's treachery all hopes can end as well.

39. Most noble patron! Our unfailing haven!
Your constancy redeems when evil shakes.

40. Accept these poor desert flowers, briefly given,
Sincere though slight, from one your greatness makes.