1. The stars have set and we are still wakeful,
While the living slumber and we remain despondent.

2. The gleaming dawn hastened its pace,
Yet a part of the night still stands erect.

3. My tears flowed in anguish over the pearl,
Which knew not of the ardour that consumed me, nor of my pain.

4. My tears fell in strings of pearls on my garment
Arranged in rows and necklaces.

5. The spindle of my tears did not cease spinning
The fine, delicate, soft thread.

6. Fairer than this was when they exchanged whispers,
Stealthily conversing with her companions.

7. Did she not know we had outgrown childhood
And reached maturity though time is ever renewed?

8. Would that my hair kept its raven colour
Rather than being tinged with henna!

9. None can match my patience and composure;
No eyelids are as unmoving,

10. No nights as faithful,
No loves as lasting,

11. No goats as compliant.
None like the Prince of Believers, the Caliph,

12. Whom God honoured with manifest superiority,
The heavens cannot be reckoned by their stars

13. When ancestors of lofty rank are counted.
His naked swords - glorious are their achievements

14. To this day they are sheathed not.
His horses - magnificent is their galloping,

15. Never halted, their bridles still attached.
O you who blame him spitefully,

16. Though you are excluded from that patron!
Others enjoy the cooled water and pleasant shade,

17. While you suffer burning thirst and scorching heat.
Salvation comes to them while you,

18. Despite your great efforts, attain not the wish you desire.
Their leader has qualities unknown to you,

19. Nothing known to you equals him.
Of little merit and few fine qualities

20. Would it be said he is excellent, and the one who praises him outstanding!
Unacceptable that an ignorant novice

21. And a rude commoner be leader and chief.
His eulogies are far above such descriptions,

22. Pure poetry, free of inferior verse.
In every soul is implanted an innate disposition

23. By which an infant starts to speak though newly born.
Shall I seek praise that is not ordained,

24. Surely then I would be stubborn and recalcitrant!
Can revelation from God equal

25. Rhyming verse that is commonplace?
Yet I saw poetry as the practice of the predecessors,

26. Whose prose is unmatched, and odes peerless.
I am thankful for your gentle nature

27. That accepts the gratitude of a devoted slave.
If there is inadequacy the fault lies with me,

28. While if I fall short of the mark, the archers take aim.
He who named you the best Caliph,

29. Ordained fate will yield to wherever you turn.
Land and sea vast in expanse belong to you

30. Both landscapes you cross at will.
Bearing witness are the ships you launched,

31. Aided by equipment and supplies aplenty.
Tents erected orderly, row after row,

32. Though not covering people, but housing lions instead.
No lofty domes or formidable citadels are they,

33. Not from baked nor crude brick.
Were it not for their transfer, many would be

34. Jugs of old and worn-out skins.
They resemble neither migratory birds,

35. For they crave not just food.
Nor fire-kindling flint, though lit for brides,

36. On the day of battle they know no waning.
When furious they attack with fiery rage

37. Like the inferno, stoked with ample fuel.
Their smouldering breaths are like lightning,

38. Their snarling mouths like unsheathed swords.
Their flames scorch the Catholic patriarch,

39. Though not originating from the family of travellers.
They carry torches above the clouds as if

40. The blood they spill stains black shrouds.
They hug the sea until it seems

41. Turbulent waves clash with them open-mouthed.
They regard the waters recoiling, foaming,

42. As though they had just lashed the skin of the masses.
Led not by camel drivers, though she-camels they are,

43. Branded under the horsemen, taken as captives.
Given clothing from perfume sellers’ shelves,

44. Redolent garments, richly coloured.
As if cloaks had settled over couches,

45. Or coats had draped over pulpits.
Raiment that wards off turbulent seas,

46. And defends against fierce torrents.
Some are coated armour with mail hauberks,

47. Others are polished helmets and coats of mail.
They sacrifice all that misers hoard

48. When the path of God calls them.
It is no wonder you strengthened Muhammad’s faith,

49. For you are, beyond all mankind, his ardent supporter.
By your name, even enemies invoke you -

50. Admitting inevitably, though they intend denial.
You were angered that his glory in Syria was usurped,

51. And enraged by the mention of sacrilegious feasts.
So you stood by him, unique in your defence,

52. While the traitor slept sound, exiled and outcast.
Despite them, the people of truth are supported

53. And the praiseworthy attains the noble deed.
Among them are those who reject revelation,

54. And others who stubbornly oppose the faith.
It did not bother them to antagonize Caesar’s heirs,

55. While they maintain lasting enmity.
Your army came within reach of their abode

56. While you remain far from the rash fools.
I said there are those in Damascus who will thank you

57. Should you pardon them and send a peace offering.
They will kiss the dust that touches your cheek

58. From your stirrups to their shoulders borne aloft.
Books will confide in you in supplication

59. And speech arrives to you in prostration.
If titles therein reject its phrasing

60. Its tears between the lines bear witness.
Nights successive messengers in humility come to you,

61. And delegations after delegations present themselves.
If some claim it is only worries that accompany him,

62. In truth, they are but baseless assumptions.
He experienced humiliation so ambition was humbled,

63. And endured adversity thus embracing forbearance.
He sought with humility a pigeon for himself,

64. While others enjoy leisurely comfort.
If he brandishes Heraclius’ swords, know that,

65. When you wish, they become for him shackles and chains.
Does he summon chaos while asleep and rouse war?

66. How then does he sheathe his sword and return it?
He grants amnesty and peace with hand outstretched,

67. Reciting poetry though a spear pierces his breast!
He offers a sacrifice, kneeling,

68. And should you accept it from him, he is blessed!
Is it not wondrous that he invited you to battle

69. As if goading a lion, though he is but an ant!
O Lord, you raise whom you wish though he rivals you,

70. And gently draw to you whom you wish though he defies you.
If it were only deceit misleading the noble one,

71. Then the delusion of the lofty-minded is wisdom!
Such is your resolve, appointed over adversities,

72. A sword that destroys souls if you desire.
If they flee their homes you return them

73. To their deaths, for none can evade you.
If it were only their homes that concerned them

74. Then those are but frail nests.
Have they not heard your borders are barred,

75. Leaving but spears and hunters?
The paths are not equal for one who travels;

76. There are smooth roads to what he seeks, and steep climbs.
Your determination meets that of every ruler,

77. As a plotter meets a schemer.
Your ship meets ships amidst the swelling sea

78. As chief meets soldier.
If only the Father of Two Grandsons could see

79. How you execute his judgment and renew his reign,
And your kingdom not overwhelmed by calamities!

80. Your kingdom not conquered by armies!
And how you seized by force from the yellow-robed ones

81. He from whom even Khusrow fled in obstinacy!
He would then see your right hand redden with blood

82. As you defend the pure faith.
I witness you have been granted all his merits Combined in you, of that I have sure knowledge.

83. If your nature were sought in the rain,
Abundant existence and abundant being would have dignity.

84. To you, all Muslims turn collectively,
Exhausted, utterly fatigued, while you are composed.

85. The Commander of the Faithful is true to his promise,
And the Commander of the Faithful has much more to give.