1. My excuse, if you tire of excusing me,
Is a branch laden with fruit at the full moon.

2. The morning breeze shook off some clusters,
And turned away from the scarf with others.

3. A shoot aimed straight for the gazelles,
At eyes darkened on purpose with magic.

4. Beauty donned its garb, seducing in it,
Trailing robes of splendor embroidered with conceit.

5. Beneath the shade of luxuriant youth
And leaves of budding manhood, verdant,

6. It revealed a smooth cheek in blushing apples
And an ivory forehead amidst red anemones.

7. With its bend, as it swayed, a coquette
Mingled allure with pride.

8. It visited me after an afternoon nap,
A siesta that gauges the dark in spans -

9. And dusk spun with stars in necklaces
That glittered silver and golden from heaven's blue.

10. You'd think the horizon a meadow strewn
With dandelions, and dinars scattered over it.

11. I sipped the wine most exquisitely,
And nibbled delicately on the fruit.

12. We reveled in the intertwining of body and body,
The touching of mouth to mouth.

13. Oh what a night it was when its darkness
Was lit up by its teeth and dimples more than dawn!

14. Our union was too short. But my love
Would prolong the brief time with my life.

15. Who excuses me from the guile of cruel Time
Where each day I'm ambushed by betrayal?

16. Whenever I say it's been unkind,
Its scorpions sting me, creeping slowly,

17. And its calamities beset me, excellent
In merit, but defective against Fate's injustice,

18. It was my garden of delight, and now
Today it is my garden of reflection.

19. A fruit that brightens a friend with a face
From which the eyes gush springs of good news,

20. A fawn, that should news some day reach it,
Would shame the blossoms' varied hues,

21. And when a languishing glance flirts with it,
It almost melts from tenderness and flows.

22. O Abu l-Qasim, who was my protection
And support against Time and my treasure,

23. O most deserving, by my sincere devotion,
And most rewarded with my utmost gratitude,

24. Fate knocked upon my domain with misfortunes
And calamities, odious and strange.

25. Would that I knew - though my soul knows -
Glory brings no gain for the youth. Would that I knew!

26. Can our departed days return?
Or does our past time hold any guile?

27. Where are our days, and where are nights
Like gardens dressed in petals' motley colors,

28. And times as though drunk with wine
Or high on the excess of intoxication,

29. When we rose to brooks of turquoise
Meandering through gardens of green,

30. On terraces exquisite in beauty, reddish,
And plains polished with tawny plants,

31. Where we savored reconciliation with a secret
That sent the mind into raptures of delight,

32. While the air in the meadows' dust
Caressed youths robed in excellence and pride,

33. Young men whose faces the darkness lifts
To reveal lamps glowing bright,

34. Each cheek almost overflows with charm
And perfects its view with utmost decorum,

35. And their features like goblets
Or gardens showered from clouds with rain,

36. Receiving my approval with approval
Each time their fragrance soothed my breast.

37. Thus it flowed, laden with their features,
Like a breeze scented with perfume.

38. My friend, only one, highest
Of my wine cups, monopolizing my devotion!

39. My sincere affection, pleasing you,
Remains constant, whether hidden or open,

40. And continuous tokens of affection
Have joined us like the pearls of a necklace.

41. Do not deny me your mansion, for affection,
If my life allows, can be brief.

42. Restore the intimacy whose circle is broken
Save for recollection's seclusion.

43. Cover the parchment's surface with words
Dazzling the mind with eloquent prose and verse,

44. Unique pearls leaving no doubt
They are necklaces of priceless gems,

45. Cascading upon the soul successively
From a naturally gifted and fruitful man,

46. Who raced in the field of rhetoric until
He surpassed the likes of Sahl and Amr.

47. If you do not hasten my reply,
This letter will be an addled egg.

48. Remain under the protection of security
As long as the horizon's visitor travels hidden.

49. And peace be upon you as long as the doves
Coo and the lote-trees' branches sway.