1. The stars incline to us, perhaps
To alleviate the misery of distance,

2. And keep safe from the echoes of separation
Or the dark nights’ bewilderment.

3. I care not for the terror of oceans,
Nor the deceit of barren wilderness,

4. Except the hands of Munthir swore
To shower us with misery and wounds.

5. Our feet strode to the glory of life
While the confounded lagged behind in disgrace.

6. The stumbler pushed us down,
Curse him, not the stars that blessed our path!

7. How they emptied our dwellings!
How gazes once tender turned strangers!

8. My ignorant craze for the folly of passion
Clothed my youth in insipid attire.

9. I exposed my soul to those lethal eyes,
The shields of chastity availed me nothing.

10. My passion and foolishness made me doubt
Whether the fault was mine or theirs.

11. And yet they suffice as reprimand for my passion’s wanderings,
And excuse for those who blame and accuse.

12. With lineage to the heart’s repository they come,
And with blood ties to the soul’s settlement.

13. My songs cannot equal their charm
Or unravel the mysteries of their beauty.

14. The blades and spears spared not
What adversities have despoiled.

15. God split the firm earth with valleys
Where death stalks the heedless lovers at night.

16. Strands of love held me bound,
While destiny cut off communion.

17. Our separation came suddenly, no matter
How long we delighted in deep passion.

18. We were struck down by mischievous fate.
The winds showed no mercy, leaving us all but lifeless forms.

19. The night sent its heralds, instructing them
To never let darkness end or daylight break.

20. At dusk, they don the robe of youth
Only to cast it away at dawn, turning white.

21. They ambush him behind the thin light of dawn
Like partridges shaking off their plumage.

22. How many a frail heart have they seized
Whose star guides another frail soul!

23. And many a mother searching for her son
Lost in the belly of endless night.

24. Until hearts have reached out with voices
Announcing that there is no beyond.

25. Our misery almost triumphed, O Mansour!
By leading travelers back through farthest paths.

26. In every town the caravan was called:
Take word to them that destination is reached!

27. A woman of excellent stock bid you welcome,
Making your abode a greater pilgrimage.

28. As though we vowed the rising sun our lodging,
By God, your face was its sweet fulfillment!

29. You sheltered the well-armed fugitives.
You oft rescued many lives from certain death.

30. You welcomed them, eased their ways-
Ever standing with those who come and go.

31. You shaded those who lacked the shade of night,
You satisfied whom misfortune had deprived.

32. You replaced the peace of death with peace,
We took comfort there from worldly cold.

33. You built homes for us in your land,
Attending to their welfare and comfort.

34. You revealed but a fraction of your gifts
Yet it encompassed a diversity of hopes.

35. We delighted in meadows graced by joy,
A wine cup elevated the spirit there.

36. We sigh, but only due to your great gifts-
You made your sweet memory its transport.

37. Our worldly demands are lightened
By both land and sea made yours to hold.

38. And no prince held the crown
Until he bore all its toil and weight.

39. A bride with unveiled beauty-
Let no man make claims unless honorably wed!

40. She sought among the warriors and poets
And found none but the gallant son of YaHyaa.

41. He rent the world with the first call
To Islam, and broke the fetters of disbelief.

42. He drove the confederates away from her sanctuary
And grasped the forelocks of tyranny’s lions.

43. He waved its branches in the sky’s expanse
And rooted its trunk in the soil of glory.

44. He extended the land with cavalry in pursuit of foes,
Crushing the lands of Bilaad under their hooves.

45. How often he ransomed the lowliest soul
With a life all souls of the worlds combined cannot equal!

46. If the shining sun could be replaced,
It would be said to it: Descend, make way!

47. If the stars’ orbits allowed a gap,
It would be said: Take its course and follow!

48. If told: Increase its gifts and seek
Through it more praise from the world, it would decline!

49. If it pleased him as adornment,
It would be said: Place the diadem upon your head!

50. But refrain, my words are enough for it,
With pendants the stars would not replace.

51. Gems the ages hoarded nothing of its like,
Nor the sea gifted the like of its pearls.

52. I immortalize in it his attributes
That provoke all creation to envy.

53. I entertain thereby pleasant tales to come
By reliving the days of ones now gone.

54. And I recreate thereby the trace of a benefactor’s days
Who pointed to me the kind glances of grace.

55. God ordained for me through her the means
To harmonize my words with deeds.

56. My praise, pride, panegyric and glory for it,
My thanks, delight, laudation and devotion toward it.

57. O greatest of holidays come together!
You rose over faith and earth as the highest rank.

58. You tell of the appointed time and I delight,
You tell of repeated days and I delight.

59. Your kindness to guests draws near the distant ones,
Your reception of visitors unites those parted.