1. When that face appears and the lips smile,
Delaying love for him is no excuse.

2. When you see his soft body and grace,
You know who is worth killing the brown-skinned girl.

3. If not for my indifference, by his eyes,
I'd not realize they were magic.

4. If not for my swoon when kissing his lips,
I'd not believe his saliva was wine.

5. I enjoyed him for years despite my jealousy,
A pleasure of life the mind cannot encompass.

6. How often I've been silent about my worldly joys in modesty,
Though his saliva was what I naturally craved.

7. How pack-hunting nights crept up on me,
While each night it visited, the moon was a guest.

8. How often that branch bent towards me and swayed,
While I had no patience when it would bend.

9. How often he leaned by me, my hand his pillow,
His hair disheveled, while my chest and the strings of the lute bore witness.

10. How much pleasure I got from him openly,
While the best pleasures without it have no cover.

11. He acts coyly then turns gently,
Gets mad randomly then is pleased and relents.

12. O how often my hand enjoyed his neck,
Neither weakening nor burdening me.

13. I said to my asceticism, "Be gone," and to my piety, "Do not stand,"
For the rule of passion is absolute and its authority victor.

14. We were as passion desired in a state
That makes chaste ladies jealous and the full moon envious.

15. Between us - I seek Allah's forgiveness - is much suspicion,
Though it is all reward.

16. I indulge him until the live coals
Nearly ignite from the kindness of his cheek.

17. I deny my love then complain of his rejection,
So my complaint embarrasses him and my thoughts amuse him.

18. May Allah watch over those nights, for how much
They have with me that cannot be thanked enough.

19. Nights that made passion sweet helped me,
Leaving me with no abstinence or considerations.

20. I gave my heart to playfulness and passion,
Not heeding any rebuke or prohibition.

21. The nights pass with my beloved as company,
And I know not if the year died or the month ended.

22. Why wouldn't I stay up nightlong in rapture?
For that is a night of bliss entirely dawning.

23. Past nights - if not for Abu Umar - I would have
Wished them to extend after they had gone.

24. He has in every crisis the resolve
Of nobility, with victory following his endeavors.

25. Rely on him, O you fearful of fate's tricks:
In his company is safety, and in his peace an ocean.

26. Ask the rain of al-Muzn or the north wind about him,
For with them is news of his good character.

27. For one seeking the gaze of his approval
And from his words glad tidings and from his sight joy.

28. Restrain yourself, O one who would limit his traits,
For the virtues of Muhammad's family have no limit.

29. Virtues - if you sensed their perfume - would suffice you
Above musk or, if cast, would make pearls unrecognized.

30. They are a people whose pride cannot be recounted -
No match or parallel for their worth.

31. Suppose I exceeded in praise what I can express,
For what can my praise accomplish after the mention praised him?

32. Abu Umar, your glory, might, and esteem suffice you,
And the exalted rank of your pure, immaculate grandfather.

33. I'm astonished by people who aspire to greatness
When loftiness was originally your family's abode.

34. How they have tried to catch up with you when between them
And you, Abdullah, is - I see - a gap.

35. I'd sacrifice you, dignified yet humble,
Sweet to loved ones, bitter to enemies.

36. Through you Allah has been generous; often
Allah was miserly towards one like you.

37. Alas! After you the world will meet no master
With a nobility that shines like stars or flowers without you.

38. You made the world beautiful for people in their time
With a wedding that secretes joy in every heart.

39. I'd give my soul for that wedding! How much
Joy it held, how it erected whoever it granted victory.

40. The corners of the sky avoided it in awe,
Had it not been for your palm's dripping.

41. You filled all hearts with joy by it
And Egypt's landmarks were lost to it.

42. You seized by it glory, pride, and esteem
And registered it to the noble, proud master.

43. So I remain in strong, protected bliss
With your son whom no evil or harm touches.

44. And I remain, O noble one, my refuge and treasure,
My contentment in life being you as my treasure.

45. Greetings be upon your grandfather the guide, giver of glad tidings,
Worthy of him before whom the moon in the pasture twittered.