1. Alas! Abu Al-Fadl is oblivious to your distress,
And none can rouse him to your plight like Fadl can.

2. Say to Abu Al-‘Abbas, make a new beginning,
Protect me from harm, myself and my family.

3. I know you’ve not heard verses sung at your door,
To rouse you from sleep, O treasure of mine.

4. Whenever I say to one seeking a favour,
“Yes I’ll grant it, for sure”, such is my way.

5. If you say “You fell short”, none who sought
A favour but found me as Fadl described.

6. Those seeking favours are not of the sort
Who pursue them from people at dawn.

7. I did that intentionally, for as the sayings go,
“Offer less at first”, as said before me.

8. Put off fulfilling promises, lest you should bear
Importunity graciously, though mean at heart.