1. In the absences of destiny's tribulations
Sometimes despairing of separation, sometimes hoping

2. Appearances between two nights of sorrow and gloom
For which no dawn or daybreak is hoped

3. Time has been struck dumb, voices silenced -
Oh heedless one, be admonished!

4. For one aspiring beyond the stars they sank
Upon him without burden or consequence

5. And those are his traces in the two horizons, years
Visible to the eye, though the eye discerns no trace

6. Scattered upon shredded chairs of ruin, despoiled
The stars nearly scattered from their lamentation

7. Reveal yourselves from behind the veil of honor and descend
The mantle of disgrace upon us after him

8. Modesty hides our dwelling places, so one with no
Hearing or sight has access to our desolation

9. No hands know us but the hands of injustice
Through no tears but those of our eyes can we prevail

10. We graze on debris and nibble fruit though
Our rivers are shaded by branches and fruit

11. The earth a banquet hall spread out
With couches in its nooks and alcoves

12. Under wings of compassion, the red hills
Parched with no water or trees

13. When it laments its misfortune, a face
Flows with the water of diffident tears

14. And has my call, O Yahya, revived for us
False hope, or do I unjustly blame you?

15. Do I summon you in praise, knowing
The clouds pour down without need of beseeching?

16. And worthier of rest in you is he who would apologize
For remissness before offering praise

17. Where are my poems and prose amidst the adornments of a king
Recited in his glory beside verses and surahs?

18. How can my compositions reach the extent
Beyond which jinn and mankind fall short in his praise?

19. May his festivals and feasts follow him to the glory
Of his reign without discord marring their joy

20. Victory unbroken, opening triumphantly
One conquering, one emerging to vanquish anew

21. And good tidings raced to bring you news
Portending endless woes for your enemies

22. So don on the raiment of praise, its collar a sword
At the ready, sparing and smiting without distinction

23. That we may regain the water that gushed forth
In abundance, inexhaustible for all

24. And the gloom of disasters lifts from peoples
Eclipsed neither by fading sun nor waning moon

25. In the faces of the Fatimids, which the sun at dawn witnessed
Were mysteries beyond all creation's ken