1. Wherein the breeze's gentle waft, a scent discerned, made known to us,
Is there for pausing by this shrine, with yearning fraught, a place?

2. That we may spend our days in rounds of visitation to it made,
Though weary of the toil, we yet take on ourselves its heavy weight.

3. For us, the sacred duty to visit it lies, binding fast,
And near it dwells the sand grouse and the lettered, cultured dove.

4. And a folk hostile, who their angry thoughts reveal,
Though blossoms of their hearts' malevolence are veiled beneath.

5. My jealous foes proclaim love to be immoral, sin,
Enraging them, their breasts with painful grief thus filled.

6. They wish that censure's threats our purpose could divert,
Yet passion's wind, from that, is stronger still.

7. Easy for the longing lover is the stranger's lonely side,
Some fixed intent or aim confused oft leads him on his way.

8. Is awe but temporary gloom, that passes soon?
Or fear, a cloud that lifts again to light of day?

9. Amid the shifting sands, the lithe gazelle, with graceful neck,
Far from the bow-string's bending arc, untethered roams and slakes its thirst.

10. Distinct its form, robust yet delicate.
A gentle wild thing, sensitively hovering near.

11. The lively young branch sways, no fruit its hands can hold.
The swaying bough bears none, though it stretch out seeking far.

12. Dear friend, it brings us joy when we visit you,
Console and comfort you, uphold and help you stand.

13. And the eve we reached the dunes, as we had promised,
No track appeared that marked the course our ardent wishes burned.

14. Then yearning's necks were craned, the mouths gaped wide,
As the zebra's foal starts up when smelled lush pasture near.

15. Naught but the brilliant brow, sincere of gaze,
Could shine forth when the clouds had passed, revealing sunrise clear.

16. My life for you! When your light shone pure,
Your fragrance called, your beauty stunned the awed beholder's sight.

17. All hail! You came to life, and knelt in greeting low,
Your land was strange to you, the darkness clothed you close.

18. How then were you distraught? Your step strode forth assured,
Your cheeks flushed full, waist curved in graceful pose.

19. Provoking you to press on loving 'mid the hostile band,
As if all horizons were your home, you needs must rove.

20. We could but suffer their disdain with patience, friend,
Hotter than flames of hell the hatred envy breeds.

21. Enough for us, if in your love some furtive sign,
A hint, glance of the eye, could knowledge give.

22. O friend of mine, blame not! My heart has grown accustomed to raving wild,
My body worn and frayed, itself beyond control.

23. For most severe is what the fervent lover bears,
When his own self reproaches him in matters of the soul.

24. The lightning draws me, as it flashes through the dark,
Towards the lightning glance of mouth that stuns me still.

25. My passion for the wind is but imagined sense
Of sweet caress within the wind's unseen embrace.

26. And glistening beads remind me of that mouth
Whose dewdrop words the swaying branches signal and repeat.

27. Not one who loved the moon's full form ever slept at night,
No wretch made bare the desert sands his carpet or his bed.

28. No monks who loved the deep sea's swell e'er left their cloistered walls,
No carrier bore the glorious throne aloft upon his head.

29. That curly-haired king it is, in whose shade
The course of changing fortunes stayed, made calm.

30. Great of resolve, our age he renders proud.
A wise just king, philosopher of measured judgment and restraint.

31. His throne and pulpit both bear witness to his wisdom fair.
His sword and holy book alike a brilliant gaze reflect.

32. Keen is his insight in events that rapid shift and change.
Clear beacons of his glorious signs shine forth from discourse's night.

33. The tyrant fears his awe-inspiring might.
The vagabond is drawn to him, though bold and unrefined.

34. Beware, if you against him further evil plot.
Let fair limits, not yourself, control desire outstripped.

35. The age's burdens, you from them relieved,
Yet blessings flow to you unceasing, at your hands they freely streamed.

36. If they prove thankless for your gifts, then let their lands
Beneath your sword a desert be, all trace and mark destroyed.

37. Let the earth cover them when they are laid to rest,
Though deep in ruin's darkness they may bury selves from light.

38. Good news for you of joyful celebration's tide,
With fortune's gifts fulfilled, and wishes granted, wreathed in leaves.

39. Glad tidings of more days of festive cheer to come,
As threaded verses flow in rhythmic current smoothly run.

40. Your sword of power shall be drawn, that ever
In enemy blood finds its keen thirsting edge submerged.

41. The blade that firm resolve has whetted to an edge,
Its ornament is generosity and noble dignity.

42. Great of ambition, while the king was still a lad,
His signs had all appeared, though then he ruled not another's land.

43. A generous man who highest praise as rarest treasure sees,
And so loves acts of beauty done, feelings of ardor bred.

44. Tomorrow, Thursday, clouds will swear to pour
Their bounty down, though now they brooding darkness spread.

45. Their lightning is the spark in burnished arms that glints,
Their thunder are the drums that through their regions call.

46. When we had done all that was asked of us,
And each with wishes to delight you charged, gat ready to proceed,

47. We joined with praises to God your praises too,
For that is surest way those praises to be heard on high.

48. And we returned unto the palace, that like Kaaba shrine
Attracts the gazing eye, the outstretched hand of each who passes by.

49. And when we faced it, and the horizon donned its splendor's robes,
The earth beneath the hooves of horses shook and trembled in refrain,

50. We saw you there atop the highest house of prayer,
As though from David's prayer niche, fair Yusuf's self looked down.

51. And when we came, as servant heralds gave assent,
The time itself your humble slave, decreed affairs its agent true.

52. We entered and we kissed the dew-drop from your hand,
With which vast wealth dissolves as drops of rain and flows away.

53. Such care you took, lest any feel distress,
And trusted, lest some frightened thought stir in a heart its nest.

54. Without you, no smooth path would fortune tread,
None bowed down low, no cloak folded back, fabric crimped and creased.

55. For you is good, wherever it may lead or stand. How can I thank you, when my debts to you have no surcease?
What power have I to fulfill duty you are owed?

56. All bounty you bestow, while I receive, made rich with gifts.
You helped restrain my youthful pride, rash ignorance,

57. And settled him in your abode, a place of comfort, rest.
So many gifts you clothed me in, like raiment fair,

58. Whose robes in every hour wrapped around me smooth.
Open-handed one's unstinting gifts, as though they poured

59. Forth from the rain's own store, or from the sea were lifted up.
Though I a slave whose hands you clasped in your command,

60. My state you raised up high, made joyful, set above.