1. Let your resolves march on though the jealous chide,
Advancing over the expanse of the desert they hide,

2. Hoping that what has fired you with blazing desire,
Might succor a wretch or loose a captive’s tied.

3. Do you not know that passion is but a pyre,
And the homes of the feeble are graves beside?

4. Reproach not the birds of fate with magic runes—
Let them disclose if blessings or curses betide.

5. You warn me the journey is long, but in truth,
Only to kiss the hand of the noble its guide.

6. Let me follow the winding heights at my ease,
To where the waters of honor and duty abide,

7. And steal the days secretly, like a soft footfall,
To where for me their deceptions cannot chide.

8. For the paths of doom—beware!—are crowded with snares,
And great is the risk for those who therein ride.

9. When we turned to bid adieu, my patience failed,
And I sighed at her sighs—such grief we cried!

10. She recalled the promise of love and desire,
While an infant wept out in its cradle beside.

11. Her words confounded me. Her phrases impart
The secrets held in the heart they deride.

12. She has reached realms from which hearts are denied,
On all sides surrounded by bodies of pride.

13. Each revelation of beauty a balm that heals,
Each figure, a shield to defend and to hide.

14. I refused my heart its desire and it led me astray,
To the soft advance of fate I did stride.

15. Then lifted the wings of passion and lo! bore away
The reason and senses that in me reside.

16. Though she left me in jealousy, yet more than she,
It is I by my vows made jealous and eyed.

17. Had she seen me when disaster descends as a storm,
When the mirage ripples in currents that glide,

18. I loose the hot summer winds into my burning face,
While prone on the sand the fierce lions abide,

19. I scent the hot winds as they swell and abide,
I court the sun’s fire as it glows and doth chide.

20. To die a coward’s death—such shifts in its form!
To fear’s piercing sounds—such range they can hide!

21. It was clear I suffer the insolent fool gladly,
And I meet tribulations with patience and pride.

22. A prince, though betrayed by the waver of will,
Has none to console him but counselors wise.

23. Had she known my resolve and seen my soul bared,
My bells ringing loud in the vale far and wide,

24. Riding the scholar at night-fall, alone on my steed,
While the stars in the murk of the midnight collide,

25. As the stars of the Northern sky circle its point,
Like a cup passing round all the tables beside,

26. As the dust of the galaxy hovers and wheels,
O’er the gloom of the night’s dusky tide,

27. My will cuts through darkness, the stars droop and tire,
And the eyes of the heavens are heavy and hide—

28. She knew then my wish was in reach of my hand,
That favor had made me a man satisfied,

29. That the mere thought of him is enough to deter
The misfortunes I meet—I can turn them aside,

30. For what brave soul defends our religion and reign,
Believes destiny’s weave may be severed and tried,

31. From Tameem and Yarbo has risen thy fame,
Like the sun wheeling over the mounts at their side,

32. A Hemyari prince, lofty of roof, drawing near,
Whose rain clouds pour forth water rich from inside,

33. Whose reigns hold a fortune of ages gone by,
Days united in glory and prime and in pride.

34. They master all life for the seeker who comes,
Though calamity threatens they lay it aside.

35. They aided the creed and nation of Light,
No champions has it, their valor denied.

36. They embraced the Revelation when it came down,
While mankind but returns to its darkness and hide.

37. Your virtues exceed all power to appraise,
Human thought fails even to grasp them and tried—

38. No, all other glory falls short of your worth,
Hope placed elsewhere is hopeless beside.

39. Years and eras of bliss have rolled o’er your reign,
Days of joy and delight and prosperity’s tide.

40. Your days are not cursed, no hearts are aggrieved,
Your life is a feast, blessings spread far and wide.

41. When all had assembled to hail and farewell,
The curtains were lifted from dawn’s glowing bride,

42. Rank upon rank stood swords and lances drawn,
Line upon line scrolls from their sheaths put aside,

43. They saw obedience raises man high as the stars,
Signs of God in their splendor displayed and descried—

44. The sea and the moon glowed beneath the same dome,
The throne of the heavens spread out in its pride,

45. Swift to approach, though their hearts quaked in awe,
Slow to draw nigh, though their eyes opened wide,

46. Saying in voices half silenced in dread,
Eyes brimming with tears they could scarcely hide:

47. “High deeds of guidance encircle your reign,
God granted you fortune and sovereignty’s pride.

48. Your nature is giving, seeking no gain,
And your thoughts embrace lands both far and wide.

49. Wherever falsehood disbands, there your truth shines forth,
Where the Muslims attack the miscreant tribes.

50. You humble the proud though they beg and entreat,
Cast them out on the plains for the hills to deride.

51. Your resolve is for victory, splendid and sweet,
Good tidings your fortune proclaims far and wide.

52. They cried: O scion of lords ever righteous and wise,
A servant gives thanks for your magnanimous side.

53. Though needy, when you are near all is gain,
The means to please you is all I have tried.

54. Without your sheltering arm I would suffer men’s harms—
Time’s injustice is vicious and fate heavy eyed.

55. Your lot blocked my path, though I persevered,
God’s will is a judge none can turn or misguide.

56. My thanks disappoint Nash’an’s though long I have toiled,
True loyalty fails when its ropes are untied.

57. So aid me against the insoluble plight,
Send me forth against lions though clawed they deride.

58. High names droop down in worship before you alone,
The doer of all deeds is only your side.

59. Impossibles happen, though means disappoint—
The arrow flies true though the bow’s frame belied.

60. Your pardon is sure for the penitent soul,
It is you who reward us, Compassionate Guide!