1. Advance a step, or fall back a step,
For youth has walked the road of decay,

2. And was inclined to life's treachery,
More amazing than his loyalty if he kept faith,

3. It was but fancied pain,
And a light fancy that flowed and a lightning that struck.

4. I donned the garb of hoariness anew,
But it was a newness for wearing away.

5. So I grew decrepit when I reached the goal,
And was stripped when I donned the forbidden.

6. If I live, I part from life’s goodness
With praise, and bid farewell to the age of youth.

7. So I incline after tranquility
With my tongue tied and gray hair.

8. I wander about the necks of the sleeping ones
In the market teeming with the silence of the desert,

9. With black unkempt beards, red cheeks,
White turbans, and coarse wool cloaks,

10. I pour down the rain whose clouds are still gathering,
Whose trees are still moist with dew,

11. As though the dice made the tavern keeper drunk,
Or he gulped wine till he was intoxicated.

12. We missed those like the wild animals,
And avoided the errancy above the like of errancy.

13. We prepared for it all the slackness of the bridle,
The breadth of the meadow, and the unblemished plain,

14. It is led back to smooth ground if it complains
Of unevenness in the females.

15. As though there were cats above its withers
Whenever they mew they raise the cats.

16. The long legged, large eyed,
Thirsty jointed, round bellied,

17. They turn to the direction of the pebbles eyes
That see the shadows of their horsemen in the darkness,

18. And reckon the tips of their ears
A herd bleating to them in the distance.

19. For they are attentive, a watchful group,
Intent on the most subtle sound.

20. They almost sense the stirring of suspicions
Between the ribs and viscera,

21. And know the whispers of enemies’ hearts
On the day of intimacy.

22. Beyond its range is a single step,
And the nearest to its steps is the goal.

23. Of its gentleness, it does not feel ,
And of its enmity, it is not seen.

24. They raced in a track
When lightning raced in it like a he-camel.

25. If you count those that are ridden
And compare between the shy and docile,

26. Then they are the elite of what is gained,
And the generous of what is sought.

27. The land of nobles, but it is
Honored beyond the work of construction.

28. And for no other reason
Al-Ghannawi saw in it what he saw,

29. And he knew the traits of steeds well,
But through it today he has no need.

30. Is it not enough, with al-Muizz as its imam,
Of glory, if it gloried, that would not suffice?

31. He made its preference to kings a precedent,
And made for it a lasting trace on high.

32. And when he chose its lineage,
He chose its names and nicknames.

33. And it has none of his palaces
Except the lofty, well-built, impregnable citadel.

34. The owner of virtue who transgresses
With it independently when he transgresses

35. Its dwellings will be from Jerusalem,
And its burrows from the garment of daybreak,

36. Its mule runs like a planet,
And its litter is of the sky’s fabric.

37. When he wanted, his regiments would surround it,
Filling the expanse.

38. As though the sand was swept away by a flood,
So the flow and waves came.

39. The hand of the owner of generosity is more generous than Hatim's
In the abode,

40. Its departure was trodden in the countryside
And its touch kneaded into the soil.

41. Above it the warriors in dyed garments
Glitter like the sides of lightning.

42. Stallions sporting with their likes
And lions feeding on the flesh of prey.

43. They strike in a yellow pool of blood
And stir in a froth of bubbles.

44. The enemies said, “Are their swords?
Or kindled fire being forged?”

45. They saw horse gear but did not know
Were they Indian canes or fiery brands?

46. Blazing brands that melt the armor
From above its wearer in the fray.

47. They eat their scabbards from sharpness
And flames spark out of them.

48. They obey an imam who obeyed God
So He gave him authority over creation.

49. Whenever he intends a decision
Drenched with the blood of enemies,

50. Justice then pardons when he pardons
And death wreaks havoc when he wreaks havoc.

51. He has this and he has this,
So one register is life, another doom.

52. We care least for the time’s anger
If it sees us through the eye of acceptance.

53. I tried, though my soul fell short
Of reaching the goal.

54. And his praise honored me in the lands
So my forgetfulness found solace in distant places,

55. I walk proudly, celebrating his favors,
So I lead the steeds and lead the camels.

56. If the star had from its horizon
My position in his praise, it would not have set.

57. Had I not been the most eloquent praiser
His constant flow and abundance would have made me eloquent.

58. What ruins he left behind to be visited!
What a range that cannot be reached!

59. He is the heir to the land of two fathers,
A father Mustafa, and a father Murtaza.

60. No one has a share with him
That can be counted or partnership claimed.

61. What is Quraysh’s inheritance to you
When God has finished with what He ordained?

62. You have the Mount Sinai side above them
And they have no means to ascend it.

63. In Mecca, He named the free man free
So He separated between the near and the low,

64. My martyred witnesses to that are the Prophet's judgment
Between the standing place and al-Safa

65. Even if a conqueror unites you
For kinships are other than homes.

66. Indeed! You invited to a right
It is the right, there is no doubt in it.

67. Adam has a place for your secret
Through which he deserved forgiveness when he disobeyed.

68. Your day is like the days of kings
And your child like the old men of the land.

69. He attends to the banner before the three years old
And strikes with the spear before the eight years old.

70. I wondered at people who lost the path
When God made the ways of guidance clear.

71. They did not recognize the truth when it became clear,
Nor see the dawn when it rose.

72. Lo, O heedless crowd!
I call you but you have not fulfilled the pledge.

73. Awaken! For it is only two:
Either guidance or blindness.

74. Guidance was not hidden but
Following passions misguided the dreamers.

75. No nation was created in vain,
Nor did God leave a people to stray.

76. For each son of Ahmed is his merit,
But you are the chosen one.

77. When you determine a decision,
It suffices you not to undo the knot.

78. The invisible soldiers of heaven around you
Are more than what is seen.

79. So one who you are his rescuer may know you
If he fears God as He should be feared.

80. As though guidance did not exist
Until you were called, honourer of guidance.

81. The rain did not aim for a watering place, but saw
A sign, so it followed.

82. The land was inhabited when you inhabited people.
To Him belong the most barren, to you the most fertile

83. I witnessed the reality of the martyr’s knowledge,
That you are the most generous who is hoped for.

84. If the sea found a way to you
It would come to you seeking water from thirst.

85. If the moon left its orbit,
It would kiss the ground before you.

86. To the like of your ancestors the riding beast is led
And from the like of your palms sustenance is hoped for.