1. Little does she care that my heart is broken
And that my tears have soaked my pillow

2. Many blame her unjustly
And search their hearts in bewilderment

3. I almost regained my heart
But she unsheathed a glance like a cutting sword

4. Her cruel glances stilled me
Looking like thunderbolts as they flashed

5. And if agitated will cry for vengeance
Aid me against the attacks of the slanderers

6. If she were to pass, the wind would say none remain
To sway with me, compliant branch

7. Her smile shone like falling pearls
As melodies descended filling ears

8. I imagine her dimples from afar in her abode
Like twinkling stars lighting the darkness

9. She appeared among ladies resembling blood
Dragging trains behind concealing veils

10. One said to another, "Let's try which glance
Is sharper and cuts more keenly."

11. They glanced and lodged in my heart, not letting
My weapons rest until unveiling their face-covers

12. Faces shone in disheveled locks like
Rising moons on prolonged nights

13. A man becomes enthralled by passion
Bewitched by the virgins' allure

14. And spurns the hearts they pledged
Never sated, they pledge again

15. To God I complain of a devoted
Lover disturbing my sleep and repose

16. Like my deeds he clings all night
And like my dreams he persists

17. I hope that Ahmed will soon
Fulfill my ambitions

18. He promised that if destiny ever frowned
At dawn he'd bring glittering hopes

19. When a lover promises and breaks it
Be forgiving for oaths taken rashly

20. Al Nasser son of Al Ashraf the King
Is content with some not all

21. If a star sought his alliance
He'd rise to meet the star

22. Destiny aids his every desire
And forces dissenters to yield

23. His determination awed those distant
Bending necks and bringing down fortresses

24. He never intended what seemed impossible
We saw the far-fetched transpire

25. You who flee him, wait, his resolve
Follows you as your shadow does

26. Soar or stay still it will come to be
Whether you obey or balk

27. Struggle alone and leave us be
As you stay up while others sleep

28. You tire for what gives rest to all
Moving while others halt

29. Strange that you summoned Ja'far
Then returned leaving your flock untended

30. Ja'far did no wrong, he stretched his hand
And pledged with no contention from you

31. You called and he obeyed willingly with his men
Preoccupied, he missed your summons

32. His only fault was cowardice
A malady without remedy

33. As you approached, his fear grew
That old sickness flared anew

34. You came to calm his heart
But he fled faster than thought

35. He pleaded the covenant you knew
Yours was no fleeting pledge

36. Take me if you must by right
Spare me though I'm innocent

37. Seeing he spared himself
Not deceiving or groveling

38. I granted him what I held
He lived though readied for death

39. I do not interpret blood lightly
If no clear text allows breach

40. I ruled and did no wrong
Those trusts are safe by God's grace