1. My messenger came to her, so listen to what happened to him
I was troubled when I heard his words

2. She saw him and said, “Are you one of his messengers?”
He said, “Yes.” She said, “Then describe his state to me.”

3. He said, “Sorrowful of heart.” She said, “Then his body?”
He said, “Thin - whoever saw him, lamented for him.”

4. She said, “Tell me more.” He said, “His days
He weeps, and his nights hold no rest for him.”

5. When she understood what he said, she said, “You have killed him!
If this continues, his mind and sanity will be lost.”

6. By God, I have not abandoned him out of boredom
Yet some gossips spoke much, estranging us

7. After they left, they made me forbidden to him
You spoke truthfully. When the slanderer talks, he makes the absurd seem reasonable

8. As for my dream the day they departed
I saw tears in his eyes as he went on his way

9. I said to him “Turn back!” He said “This is where I live now
My enemy drove me out and you call me back, but I have no place there.”

10. Where are you calling me, when you have little passion?
It dries up, with no yearning for it to cease.

11. Your heart is a heart which, whenever it is said “He has come”
From longing, says “I will come to him.”

12. Return, my messenger, to Layla and say to her
“Your lover will not survive this estrangement.”

13. If she has shunned him out of fear for him
Then let her know that shunning has brought him ruin.

14. Give him life again with a moment's union
Then blame him afterward for whatever he does!

15. I have not ceased to find her like it after like it
By God, my heart - how much it can endure!

16. I start the day fighting destiny, alone
And end the night, rallying my troops.

17. Misfortune went too far in my ill-fated lot -
Events that count as sins upon a man.

18. I will take my vengeance on my time through Ahmad
When one has a score to settle, he hastens to settle it.

19. Ahmad is not one to let a neighbor down
Rather, he is one who would give away his wealth

20. Ask about his gifts - the treasuries of his wealth
Do not pity them when they complain of his generosity!

21. If his gifts did not drain them dry, they would not stoop
To kiss the slippers of kings.

22. Follow his example, O seekers of glory and elevation!
But you are far from attaining his virtues.

23. A brother of resolves - may God aid his efforts -
And of conquering might - woe to him who opposes him!

24. A young man who never wavered or regretted
Who closely considers the outcome of every matter - nothing makes him turn back.

25. Dignified, though soft-skinned ones warn him
And serious matters shock him, I say nothing shocks him.

26. We have heard of the affairs of kings, but found
No peer for our Ahmad to compare him to.

27. Kings are but thousands to his one
They shudder while we cannot reckon his merits.

28. Gifts and favors walk before him
For whoever hopes for his bounty or craves his company.

29. Congratulations to Ishmael for what his son attained
Of the highest offices built up for him!

30. Ishmael has long boasted of Ahmad
As the clouds boast of lightning, unceasingly.

31. When he claims descent from kings, the stars in heaven
Bow down, as flowers bow over the horizon to him.

32. Six rulers were his foster-fathers, arranged
In a sequence as measured as verses in a poem.

33. Among them Ahmad is, by what we know, Ahmad -
Inclining to right wherever it leads him.

34. May the God of the Throne protect him from what he fears
And honor his dwelling, blessing his family!