1. O possessor of timeless glory, nations have no covenants with you,
Yet you have none but good from them; your justice was never harsh.

2. Leave the envious be- their slander cannot stain your white attire;
The guiding string of piety adorns your miswak stick alone.

3. Seek wisdom and live nobly with resolved intent;
Let no blame or dispraise deter your quest.

4. Ablution water ran scarce, and there was nothing left
Except dry ablution, if only its earth would avail.

5. My ancient homeland called me, though in my distant exile,
I was blessed wherever you dwelled, O guide.

6. Tanuwf has grown barren - it births no memories.
Rather, it births misfortunes, though constantly pregnant.

7. Therein the arrow goes astray despite straight shooting,
And man’s sure judgment strays though his view is clear.

8. I exhausted it with virtues contrary to its customs-
Its wastelands diminish as it grows on praise.

9. The courtyards of Mahra's abodes exhorted it long ago.
Its roots grew as the thickets flourished.

10. They passed by, bumping camels and fillies,
And I believe they knew where I intended to go.

11. I covet a kingdom whose sea has fresh water
And whose shade is outstretched.

12. It disdains ostentatious gift-givers,
So they are barred from it and driven away.

13. Behind it are those I do not disdain,
While ahead a praiseworthy king praised indeed.

14. A king whom all people of the age serve,
For what his hands built he originates and repeats.

15. He continues to innovate lofty deeds, contradicting
Those whose way is but to follow tradition.

16. He surpasses people in qualities
Whereby the best and most vile are distinguished.

17. Wondrous is his speech, the like of which
Is not acquired through merit or inborn among the noble.

18. He gives even if it costs his lifeblood and pardons
Even vile betrayal if eternal rule could be attained.

19. When war looms, he defends his line, then retreats,
So victory begins and ends with him.

20. When the lord of nations and those under them
Feel dread, kings submit to him like prey.

21. Numayr and Rabi’a ready their aid for him.
The Divine inspiration prepares armies for him.

22. A king for whom all people are servants -
God endowed him with siblinghood and affection.

23. The Owner of the Two Noble Sanctuaries invited him in knowledge
That through him veneration and glorification become manifest.

24. O son of those whose assembly, when filled,
Emits such fragrance that perfume and wood abate!

25. They have above the sky a most wondrous rising place,
And for their babbling children, cradles await.

26. A people who established markets for every virtue,
Prevailing while people slumbered.

27. They sang though no affliction entered their abodes,
But chastisement most befitting their deeds and generosity.

28. Each becomes populous when war flames up,
And each is hospitable when guests arrive.

29. Droves expect barrenness from them,
Yet they never cease to protect their meadows and fortify.

30. Against every rebel band and rogue,
They drive away armies while extremely enraged.

31. Does, made pregnant by them, birth fawns
Dyed with the blood of enemies, not with dust.

32. For them in alcoves are wild cows
Whose udders give milk though having no calves.

33. He loves remoteness and returning through wastelands,
Not flutes that captivate and enchant.

34. They have prolonged the lives of people and their stay,
With traits created just as each wishes and desires.

35. You have indeed attained lofty glories enough
To make you independent of following convention.

36. A generosity people crane their necks to reach
And for which even mountains bow in humility.

37. You have attained, with exceptional resolve,
A loftiness that transcends both eagles in ascent.

38. Not as men differed, but as existent differs from nonexistent;
This endures desired, while the other is lost.

39. So praising you counters their praise:
One is ever chanted while the other is sought.

40. Their promises and threats remain suspect,
While your promise and warning prove true.

41. They lived but withered in their chambers,
No greenery thriving, only dust accumulated.

42. You made them despair of attaining these heights,
So they recoiled and were driven away.

43. When the hopes of one jealous of another's blessing aim high,
Your servant overlooked turns hopeful.

44. Life is miserable unless you secure for your nation
Reform, which none but you can achieve.

45. You instilled security after its flight,
Banishing fear so none remains.

46. If their land could speak, it would praise you,
With oxen and camels extolling your nobleness.

47. You made those tribes you dealt with
Live in everlasting anxiety and exile.

48. You instilled pure dread in their hearts
So the disgraced and outcast grew straight.

49. When fear resides in an open chest,
It erects encampments and becomes entrenched.

50. Had you, O crown of kings, supported
The prophet, your grandfather, Thamud would not have defied him.

51. Or had you aided Hashim in days gone by,
No pilgrim would lose his way, or seeker be denied.

52. You grow in glory - none can comprehend the full extent -
Whenever your enemies say: “How much more will he gain?”

53. So bare the swords - you have brandished them so long,
We would think they have no sheaths.

54. Many an Indian sword, when dire straits struck,
Shattered though tempered by David's mighty hands.

55. Those concurring and conflicting praise you,
Admitting you are unmatched in this age.

56. So I wondered how he confessed you are peerless
Among people whose faith is God's Oneness.

57. You fell short of your promise, so may its remainder persist
For those hopeful in you, and may you live long.

58. It provides for the destitute and screens the transgressors -
By this, proofs and witnesses have been established.

59. People vary in the aims they pursue -
One enriches, another destroys.

60. O Kaaba of munificence, we circumambulated you,
So we bow down and prostrate around you.

61. Nights illuminated by your presence
Were dark before your nearness.

62. I emerged from the confines of time knowing
That in turning to you, I am right-guided.

63. Favors that left the skillful poet at a loss -
He cannot properly direct or climb them.

64. They restored to me the days of my youth - before,
I thought not that youth would return.

65. For them in the market of praise are treasures hawked,
While in the market of the chaste are fetters.

66. They mystified tongues such that if unleashed,
Our camels would race, spurred by them.

67. Their frequent mention made the gloomy night preserve them -
What is repeated, both raven and desert know.

68. Discern their merit if you excel poems -
Not all who praise the splendid become splendid.

69. I charge you with caring for me, for among the tribes
I have become one whose slavery you own.

70. My sole request, then, is your pardon for a slip -
No more than what you already granted me.

71. Can anything befall me that I should fear,
When your good judgment provides my arms and supplies?

72. You continue to renew each coming year
In glory, outshining all garments.

73. I see the stars transgress their rules
Except upon you - for them, you are felicitous.