1. The gazelle bewildered him, for it did not settle to rest,
So his glancing view turned back puzzled and disturbed.

2. The homelands of the family of Otâr had charms that
Exhaust vocabulary with praise or make it stray.

3. Where are the singing parties not complaining
Of hands grown weary of playing the well-worn instruments?

4. Nor did the tears afflict me as they did my like
So magic was baffled how to make them start or flow.

5. Would that the gazelle had reaped its fruits to me
As bunches of grapes on the boughs of the gazelle's land.

6. When my drinking companions brimmed the cup of wine for me,
My palm vied with my bright companions in passing it round.

7. I yielded it to them like the tears, save what
My preference retained, that kept beneficence from being cut off,

8. And my breaths blew gently amidst its little waves
Bearing royal perfume that set imagination working overtime.

9. Pause, and blame Time that failed you, and then mayhap
It will make amends for this blame afterward.

10. Beguile him subtly, by your sweet talk, to let down
A heart wrapped up in grudges and sealed by misgivings.

11. By God, the maiden stars did not contain
A crescent that unveiled before them its trailing skirts of dark night!

12. From him I veil my eyes whenever his looks
Dart from an eyelid that is a piercing, terrifying blade.

13. Sometimes he pays me a visit, forcing his way
Through barriers guarding my love-union and chamberlains;

14. I did not intoxicate my eyes time and again from being lovesick
Had not my virtuous friends forbidden me to indulge.

15. O you who, whenever you fulfilled the clan's highest fame, I missed
Your company, giving or attaining eminence!

16. Tempting my drowsy eyes in sleep, indeed
You have excelled in such tempting, beyond all customary bounds!

17. From my bountiful father the flood of blandishment ran over for me
That made rise a cloud of favor Voluptuous with folds.

18. The owner of expansive realms – the ample domains – has never
Brandished the gleaming swords of war to dislodge and bring low,

19. Nor cut down the hope of yearning souls, nor sucked dry
The dugs of dearth with devastating, exhausting draughts.

20. Rather he built with his sublime ascent a citadel of glory
To which I guided the most direct of all causes that lead up to it.

21. Its fresh greenery invites mankind with its verdancy
To settle there, exciting panic,consternation or fearful awe.

22. This is the sanctuary that gave security if you approached or turned away,
For, even if absent, the formidable prowess of the lion protects the absent.

23. Valiant, a swordsman aimed unerringly at the joints through the coats of mail,
However often he hit the mark, to bring healing to the religion or to its protégés.

24. A writhing dragon, winding, twisting, cleaves; the days gone by
Still course for him – if the chance of time brought reversal or hardship...

25. Any white falcon, in the fury of battle, flames up
In the furnace of war, whatever the royal crown's effulgence,

26. While every swarthy eagle, though spurning the burning heat,
Glides through the air and attaches itself to the serpents' kin.

27. It wrapped itself in courage and piety both and so became
A prayer niche for you from the devotions paid in prayer niches.

28. The descendants of great men and lords have never ceased
To be lords of the kingdom ever since they rode as babies in cradles

29. On it they cut their teeth and from its bosom they suckled
Until its manners became innate habits for them.

30. They endured long and excelled long, and how often, though outstanding
For bounty, the scion of a man of high degree turns out well!

31. Tearing his foes to pieces, lavishing gifts on loyal servants,
Deal in the same way yourself, tearing some to pieces, treating others lavishly.

32. The hosts of gratitude formed ranks to attend him at his ease,
Bringing to him thanks in battalions and armed contingents.

33. The daughters of Poetry came to him with set purpose
While many came to him before as messengers and envoys.

34. Tongues of flames, every dialect refined,
Gleaming, dazzling mail coats with their tongues of fire.

35. The self of man caught light from their fused metals—they fancied
That May had come in January when July was past.

36. How many scrolls of time have been filled to the full
With thanks for your kindness, fulfilling and bringing increase!

37. Who was ever like you from whom good might always be hoped?—
You made all the months of the year seem like kind lords.