1. Others aimed the glances of languid eyes,
When they shot the arrows of listless looks with kohl.

2. Whoever wasted his youth infatuated with singing girls,
My heart was busy with love of noble ideals.

3. How often I yearned for the roses of cheeks, but did not
Pick the fruit that had ripened into neglect.

4. No cheek was stung by the bite of its scorpion,
Nor did the arrows of glances turn me from my calm.

5. Nor did the trinkets of singing girls' words
Stop me from sipping the honey in their folds.

6. Nor did I content myself with the false promise of a coquette,
Without embracing, whispering, and kissing.

7. I have not ceased to sport in the spring of my youth,
Foolishly pulling the string of flirtation.

8. But now when my soul has fulfilled its wishes,
And attained the utmost of all hopes,

9. I refrain, Salma, from what you know, so I no longer
Pine for the pasturelands or weep over ruins.

10. When I reached maturity after thirty-five
Of my years had passed, I reconsidered and preferred dignity.

11. Whoever is forbearing is honored, whoever is modest gains respect.
As I obeyed my youth in folly, so now

12. I obey in doing righteous deeds, though grown old.
O sacred month of obligatory fasting, in which

13. Hearts have been purified by true devotion.
You have, O Ramadan, erased our misdeeds, giving us

14. Good news of reverence and exaltedness on the meadows.
Fasting, righteousness and devotion are linked in you

15. To goodness, humility and unsevered connection.
Would that your month were a year without ending,

16. And that your shade over us were never shifting.
Among the months that have passed, you are only

17. Like al-Nizar among the messenger prophets.
A king who, when asked, enriches the beggars,

18. Though they stay silent he gives without being asked.
In war he is found attacking again and again when

19. The birds of calamity flock together on the battlefield.
A swordsman whom no mighty tasks can evade

20. Decisively, a reconciler whom none evaded unfinished.
Not by the weak thoughts of the timid from any

21. Event that ruins people, nor by cowardly withdrawal.
With his sword he attains what swords fail to reach,

22. And by his vigilance what schemers cannot attain.
Wakeful when prudence sleeps, on guard,

23. Luxurious and fierce, hasty and deliberate.
The caliphate was adorned when you were clothed in it,

24. And through you its domain gained glory over realms.
Without you it would be without splendor or glory,

25. Without eyelids, kohl, or collyrium.
You have composed its crown of justice, and with

26. Clemency dressed it in the garment of beauty and finery.
Religion cannot be debased when you promote it,

27. And the flood of generosity gains victory over meanness.
Unbelief is shattered while faith is honored,

28. Extravagance is allowed and people suffer need.
So enjoy the distant time in which you left the Muslims

29. In peace and abandoned the unbelievers to wrangling.
You have supported the religion of your two forefathers

30. Until through you it rises above other faiths.
If the Feast comes to us happily through seeing you,

31. Fasting has indeed departed from us in sorrow.
You appeared like the rising sun,

32. When the plain was again clothed in white, like a child.
The full moons blossom and the banners flutter,

33. While the earth glitters and the atmosphere drones.
None who glance can prevent their eyes

34. From gazing on one who swims on land or is a hero.
The sun in the orbit of the army was obscured

35. By the hilts of the white swords and spears.
Until you reached the mosque, humble in devotion,

36. In the humble devotion of your ancestor in early times.
You stood before them as preacher, eloquent of tongue,

37. Joining each phrase smoothly and distinctly.
What stony heart was not softened by them?

38. What effective sermon did not melt?
An eloquence whose prose is composed masterfully,

39. A speech no negligent orator ever attained.
You have explained the truth plainly, so that

40. What was ambiguous of guidance appeared clear.
A proof of sincerity by which you have solaced the saints,

41. While I watered it evenly between haste and delay.
They gained by what they heard the honor of nearness,

42. And did not leave until satisfied by the Merciful.
They prayed behind you while the angels were behind them,

43. Conveying to the Highest their hopes and aspirations.
And God purged what wrongs they had committed,

44. Until they were cleansed of sins and error.
I have not lagged behind in the asceticism by which

45. I would lose my reward, or avoided seeing you from boredom.
Who would sell a radiant day for gloom?

46. Who would swap the dawn for a child's comfort?
But I stayed behind because of illness and pain,

47. While they came and went like one crazed and confused.
A malady that deprived my eyes of sleep,

48. And an affliction that increased past afflictions.
But if my legs failed me when I was sick

49. From coming to you, my affection and deeds are sincere.
Neither my faithful counsel nor my obedience

50. Have ever swerved from what you ordained, nor has my heart.
I am imbued with love of you as the water-carriers mixed

51. Their water with honey from the running brooks.
May the blessings of Him who endowed you with victory

52. And delayed your term pray over you and grant you happiness.