1. O lightning, water the clouds' pasture,
For you have told of a passionate lover's heart.

2. And when you pass, greet the abode of my beloved,
And say, "Peace be upon you! Where is our meeting place?"

3. Entrust the spirits every evening
To the soul of the meadows in the setting and rising sun.

4. They left my eyes slopes flowing with tears
Of yearning, and my eyelids burnt with separation.

5. Neither do their tears flow with remembrance,
Nor does grief flood their lids and close them.

6. Say, how can one afflicted with love find sleep?
Passion has set their heart aflame.

7. Their pride was folded over the embers of anger,
When my gazelle-like glance fell in love.

8. Her glance has authorized in his heart,
A magic sword, whose edge cannot be warded off.

9. It bends the joints of his patience if her neck is bent,
Like threads, softly shimmering.

10. The darkness of her curves makes him yearn,
Like a herd that passed between selected pearls.

11. She refused union, so I said, would that in the grave,
Her image might visit and bow to me.

12. Pleasant is union after estrangement,
And separation after union is the most faithful companion.

13. Souls incline toward love, as do their undoing,
Though they do not find in it the best fortune.

14. Like the moth and the lamp, the light entices it
To come closer, only to be burnt.

15. Beauty is to lovers like the sword that
Kills those who challenge it, though charming.

16. Yet it fades, and better than it, is that
Whose rhymes are sweet, for it has lasting glory,

17. Like the excellence of Al-Hafez's praise,
Which pleased ears and eyes, perfectly composed.

18. An ink which has recorded praises,
In which Sana'a saw skillful workmanship.

19. The sign of scholars, a deep, abundant sea,
Its knowledge and generosity drowning the land.

20. Polishing natural talent, its understanding
Is a light that helps unravel complexities.

21. His fingers made the clouds pour forth,
When they moved before questioning, overflowing.

22. Glory came to be gathered in memorizing it,
Giving freely, though scattered about.

23. In every virtue he has become foremost,
And refused to allow his merits to be matched.

24. His virtues have protected his honor from blame,
So his honor became lofty and noble.

25. In virtue Ahmad, Ahmad the most pure.
He has surpassed in excellence those who raced.

26. He gave piety to God, thus becoming one
Of whom God has said, “He gives and fears.”

27. Congratulations on an auspicious wife,
Who is robed in the cloak of glories and piety.

28. Through your merit, time has promised her,
The best fortune, and granted what you wished.

29. A sun the west hid before you setting,
God made your place its rising.

30. Blessed is your marriage, under the auspices
Of the most fortunate bird, safe from harm.

31. For you, good tidings of well-being and children,
Joy has spread, tastefully observed.

32. And to you, from the tongue’s poetry, carefully chosen
Eulogies have come and gained distinguished praise.

33. Poetry as if pearls were strung in it,
Magic, gardens, and elegant charm.

34. It has attained all beauties, ascending,
Well-aimed, gathered, and spread about.

35. Take them, for their meanings have been ennobled,
Which have taken from eloquent words, shimmering luster.

36. They came to you, spreading rhetorical wonders,
Trusting in their well-composed arrangement not to be stolen.

37. Pull the train of your pride wearing its mantle,
New robes I have woven for it to be created.