1. The lovers before me have passed away following precedents,
And in passion they followed religious duties and traditions.

2. But after them I have attained a status—
Its stature they never realized, neither in secret nor openly.

3. By Allah, O she camel be gentle with him
Who has never known the pleasure of intimacy.

4. And be kind to him, for that soul is noble,
My experience with him is that he never breaks a promise.

5. You are the sovereign of beauty, O sun of the morning,
Rather you are a spirit and that beauty is like a body.

6. And my critic of you—I have not found fault with him,
Nor have I listened to a slanderer in love or lent him my ear.

7. My heart inclined to you since it dwelt in me,
Will it then betray me though I am the best trustee?

8. Far from it! I have glory and humility in my youth,
Pride enough for him who covets it though broken inside.

9. And in you I have revived an estranged love
As you made me experience estrangement and passion.

10. So do not be harsh if I turn from it to praise
The noble character—a shelter for the refugee.

11. The crown of rule is more radiant for one whom
Honorable banners from days gone by have raised.

12. The house of authority—his forefathers and father
Had already overwhelmed the most excellent in favors.

13. What a remarkable leader he is, none compares,
Of lofty ambition in serving the nation.

14. How many effective policies confirming the truth,
Annulling falsehood and discord.

15. And how many doves cooing thanks—
In a garden of branches—for his kindness.

16. And how much water have his hands poured forth
From which one may drink endlessly like rainclouds.

17. Grief finds solace in his rivers and through him
The land is cleansed of filth and thorns.

18. And this is an early fruit of a tree, born in its time,
Appearing before you without dowry or price.

19. Perhaps through you it will find acceptance
Despite envious enemies full of malice.

20. So meet its greeting with nothing but pleasure,
For in passion I am needless of all else.

21. I remain enjoying the state of favor, delighted
By an ascendant star marked with good fortune.

22. The composer said nothing in the beauty of its opening verse:
“The lovers before me have passed away following precedents.”