1. To whom shall I complain of my bewildered heart
As I see my return amongst the eloquent and the foreigners

2. I spend my days sighing and moaning
And I pass my nights shedding copious tears

3. As if I were a victim of the events of nights
Who has been left exposed to assailing misfortunes

4. And on earth I have a refuge and dwelling
Which delight my eyes and sweeten my repast

5. So that destiny sees me happy and self-sufficient
With my feet protected therein safely

6. And I rise over its events just as it had risen
Over me, so its frail pillars remain

7. And I seek shelter in the shade of the caliphate, ample,
Which wards off harm, resists intense heat and poisonous winds

8. In the haven of the Commander of the Faithful, who has become
For him an eminent sign above all rivals

9. The namesake of the Chosen Prophet and his cousin
And ruler over the necks of recalcitrant kings

10. Nurtured by Abu al-Fadl, the scions of nobility
In the years of dearth have continued to be sated by him

11. The best of mankind donned the garb of praise
And ascended to the brilliant summit from the lineage of Hashim

12. And he revived eras whose virtues in his time
Were encompassed by a chief, lord of the carpets

13. Nights he is called upon in Quraysh to gather
Together its people in the prohibited deeds

14. An imam of guidance calling to Allah as a guide
To all mankind, its Arabs and non-Arabs

15. With justice, benevolence, advice, compassion
Asceticism, proof, restraint and sword

16. Bequeathed to him by fathers of sincerity who inherited
The bounties of endeavors from generous ancestors

17. Thus none held it but the lineage of every
Caliph encompassing the rulings of Sharia, learned

18. When the purebred Arabs boast one day
Of the honorable among their chieftains and leaders

19. And they came with Qays, his son, and Maʿbad
And Kaʿb, Aws, and the son of Salma and Hatim

20. He named them all then glanced for a moment
At the generosity of your sea with clashing waves

21. Saying: If you are superior then by your superiority
We are generous for the superiority of those virtues are due to you

22. For were it not for you no generosity or Jaʿfar would be praised
Nor would the palm of Qasim's generosity pour forth dew

23. Nor would people know the son of Sahl nor would any poet
Equal the eulogy of Ibn Wahb's composer after composer

24. They say: "They are land and you are its heaven
And your bounty in it is like the place of clouds

25. When you rain upon it, it flourishes and yields
Its fruits to every consumer

26. But when you neglect it, it withers
And neither swarming locusts nor cunning beasts benefit from it

27. Through you Allah secures the lands and reforms
His servants and pardons grave sins

28. You are the lamps dispelling darkness and the leaders
Of mankind, a bulwark against accumulating afflictions

29. And it is through you that Allah established the symbols
Of His religion, else we would be like beasts

30. You made clear the paths of guidance and uncovered
The truth, removing the accumulated layers of blindness

31. And you straightened with the sword whoever obstinately resisted
And did not bow with humility to an adversary

32. How many a misguided zealot of unbelief rested
While his zeal became sandals for your horses' hooves in battles

33. So say to the missionaries of East and West: "Make your speeches brief
Or else you shall clash with the teeth of regret"

34. The truth is none but a Hashimite call
It is the truth, not the claim of a transgressor or tyrant

35. Through it Islam, in every abode
Became supported by a pillar from its pillars

36. For it, he mobilized in every frontier regiments
Which see polytheism terrified by their onslaught

37. The despots of hypocrisy spend their nights sleepless because of it
As if their mattresses were the very mountain ridges

38. Turning them over from side to side in terror
Having settled between those resolute men

39. So it does not allow them any rest in their sleep
When sleep makes worries subside from every sleepy one

40. O Commander of the Faithful! The noble souls
Have burdened me with remoteness from you out of concern

41. How much smooth, firm mail I traversed
Atop a saddle not the least bit infirm in determination

42. And how often I donned coats of mail that kill gazelles
With the resolve of a shining star amidst terrors

43. From the hands of time and its assailing misfortunes
I once had lawful wealth and riches

44. Which magnified my generosity and the fulfillment of my virtues was hoped for
But the wretched governor denied me

45. That estate and coins I had acquired
So my situation, wealth, riches and possessions

46. Changed, and he inclined towards fabricating flaws
The prison became my narrow abode in gloom

47. Where the darkness of sorrows keeps me company
And he released me after despair overcame me

48. Now I complain with nothing to lean on to one who lacks pity
I left my family and home in Bahrain

49. Expecting riches from your accumulated treasures
My lengthy stay wearies me and brings

50. From the lowly the most bitter reproach
Blessed are you, whose smallest gifts

51. Exceed the abundant pourings of the deep seas
May you live long despite the passage of nights

52. Immortalized by supporting the wronged and subjugating the unjust
So I confided in myself alone finding no other resolution

53. And consulted my determination
I was tempted towards some kings but they

54. Were ferocious to me, overflowing with treasures and wealth
I calmed them with my insistence to travel

55. To you, so their mouths showed a smile
I gave my family the good tidings of riches, for my destination

56. Back to them would be with triumph over fate, overwhelming it
I came and they had attained the stars and were certain

57. That riches had become assured like a firm pact
I did not flatter people for their wealth

58. So I would gain something or a few coins
Rather, I hope for a bout of generosity from your hands

59. Whose memory will remain during seasons
With it I will gain glory, fell jealous foes

60. And rise above the zeal of conquering kings
How many have lived dependent on your hospitality, hoping

61. For tremendous matters worthy of great aspirations