1. What lies hidden behind the curtained full moon were it to travel?
Verily the tortured in his passion travels endlessly,

2. Like moles or shadows is how it begins
Until your shadow synchronizes in form.

3. O you who expose the delicate branch with its twigs
And the sun - whether it unveiled or travelled,

4. Whence came your stature to the branches
That bears fruit or flowers whenever you will?

5. A memory of the covenant of our intimacy and union
While fate from granting respite closed its eyes.

6. In a garden the spring adorned its trinkets
When the downpour of clouds was scattered about.

7. The twigs bow down and prostrate when
Those beauties and boons become visible.

8. The gentle breeze swims in its cups whose bubbles
Are molten from rubies and studded with pearls.

9. From the era of Luqman the Wise it was liberated
And it related upon it what endured and became renowned,

10. Of what the Magi selected for its essence
Thus it is the flame while the bubbles are but embers.

11. Content with fate is its drinker who
Wastes the gatherings blaming destiny.

12. The lute exhales - how slight are its melodies
From the days of leafy trees and vegetation!

13. Answering it is the string's returning echo
Supporting its complaint as the gourd bears witness.

14. From the palm of a singer who brought joy to our company
However much it may sing and joke lightheartedly.

15. It gently intoxicates the forbearing with its rhythm and with a wink
While its coquetry robbed souls without apologizing.

16. Thus it quenched your home, Tunisia, with a raincloud
That rains the water of safety, not the water of rain.

17. The home of cheerfulness - it did not lack a family
That bestows beauties in lineage and maidenhood.

18. With it the era of the prominent Ahmad was quenched,
Son of the magnificent, the hospitable, the renowned.

19. The scholar, the trusted minister, the respected,
The mainstay, the chief, the devout, the valorous, the generous.

20. The essence of its eyeliner and pearl of its necklace,
And he is the one who raised the banner loftily.

21. Pride of the cape and breast of the robe of its people,
Above all who composed verse and prose.

22. With it the penman became content, nay enriched,
And it sufficed over sword and scabbard in eminence.

23. With it the distant goal is struck precisely
And it directs whoever bolted and whoever shied.

24. With subtle points that travelled the sun’s path
Among the nomads, fortresses, and settlements.

25. With masterful wonders that dazzled, so the light of it blinded
The eye of the envious, confusing the sight or its traces.

26. Say to the one who speaks of Ahmad’s virtues,
“Speak of the tumultuous sea without caution!”

27. Orator of this land and son of its orator,
And safety is yours from time when it rages wrathfully,

28. Its pillar, son of the pillar, its pride,
The exceptional professor, and noble lord.

29. Take it - though not unique to its age -
But with lasting sorcery.

30. Of what the affectionate one selected and crafted
Into a necklace strung with jewels and pearls.

31. It congratulates your health - which is its celebration -
And the greatest celebration and the return from travel.

32. What it aspires is the kissing of your hand
Which is my pillar in every affection or breast.

33. So linger for us in a blessing that increases
However much the beloved praises the lover and is thankful,

34. And whenever the moon tightens its halo in its orbit
Or the breeze blows upon the gardens at dawn.