1. When shall my soul find rest from camps and tents
While rain clouds water meadows nourished by the sky?

2. Would that the nights might swiftly reunite us soon
And the Pleiades desert you at nightfall.

3. I stopped beside traces of camps on arid sands
Swept by the winds at evening twilight gloom,

4. And said to some lads from the tribe of Badr -
Noble men, though passion be the noble's bane:

5. "Greet these abodes, for it is surely just
That we should greet them peacefully." How gross

6. That horses' hooves should violate their ground
Before our flooding tears flow forth in streams!

7. Then every shining youth of Quraysh urged
His camel faster, by his father nourished.

8. We lingered, chanting covenants of old,
Now frail, as all things fail and disappear.

9. We rode the valley's floor and drove the guard,
Receiving charge of them so gallantly,

10. Until all tears were checked save some few drops
Remaining between steadfast lids. At last,

11. Hands clasping hearts still quivering with desire
And ardour youthful and impetuous,

12. We left. Time gathers those now parted far
And reconciles those joined in amity.

13. My friend, your nature is a noble one
Which vileness in its basest forms cannot attain.

14. Your faithfulness, should a neighbour settle by,
Safeguards the pledge of love and obligation.

15. Does she who blames you (3) not approach by night
To chide you, though the singers blame you not?

16. Reproach me, if the wings of night should cast
A shadow over me, my mantle lowered!

17. You would rejoice were night to last a month,
The Pleiades distract you from all sleep.

18. Reproach me! How you have disgraced me when
The night affords me intimacies hushed and still!

19. Each verse whose floating measure starts to stray
Turns back, as lightning flashes or flames leap quick.

20. When discourse strains their strength, still they prevail,
And halt, although the words drive on to goals.

21. They sway the will of him whom passion left
In tatters and no man can take my place;

22. Not one of all the diverse ranks and tribes
Can ever grave his marks upon their hearts.

23. O Caliph, steward of God's authority .
Exalted over predecessors rightfully!

24. Would that the swords under your command desist
From vengeance, while the sharpened blades persist.

25. You raised the banners over level plains
While at your gate the Christians rub their palms

26. And sights unfold in splendour, where the Faith
Still spreads its might inviolate.

27. There was a folk whose hearts began to err;
You healed their hearts of sickness and despair.

28. Troops launched attacks against al-Marwarrudh
With power, terrible revenge.

29. Her ramparts cracked on both sides from the shock
And horsemen circled with their piercing shafts.

30. She saw the banners of the Caliphate
Assaulting her, and fell headlong with awe.

31. The wrongful schismatics when they disobeyed
And closed their ears against the invitation

32. Unto the mosque of Peace, before their walls
Appeared a day even the ringdoves flee.

33. Would that day cause your glory to decline,
O Abu Ishaq(4), a realm more bright than all the highest glories!

34. By your sword the world remains intact; the thread
Of Islam was made fast when torn apart.

35. Help us as you helped Harun!(5) Hopefully
You'll live a thousand years (God grant them to you!)

36. By God and by the inviolable land -
Our oath, between Muzdalifa (6) and the Place!

37. You are most worthy, House of Abbas,(7) to inherit
The Legacy of Prophecy from men.

38. "Al-Anfal" is your disputant, and your witness, (8)
Containing arguments to still all strife.

39. The Prophet's relics and traditions are
Correctives for lawfulness and its reverse.

40. Love of you makes each sin to disappear
Joined to prayer and fasting day by day

41. While schismatics assert your right lies in
A Shib Ravudha, losing every claim!

42. Imams like mine command seventy thousand
Turkish bowmen with their arrows drawn,

43. Who satisfy their holy wrath against
The blades of every Indian cumbersome in war;