1. The sleeves of his cloak played with the breeze,
Swaying like a branch stirred by passion and calling out.

2. Slim but firmer than the striking whiteness
Of a thoroughbred on the day of battle.

3. The eyes that met mine, and the eyes that avoided mine
And settled on my heart.

4. I competed with him, with the coolness of his contentment,
With the flavour and embers of his cheek aflame.

5. So he yielded, like a restive steed whose bridle I pulled gently,
And he yielded.

6. The night, black-robed, spreading darkness
Like the pupils of beauties, pitch-black.

7. The full moon rose, graced with beauty,
Outshining the bright moon, magnifying it.

8. By the slenderness, like a gazelle’s, of its crescent,
Joined in succession like pearls.

9. Bearing traces of passion, leaders of beauty,
Their breath the scent of musk, exhaling through their veils.

10. I shall leave this abode, not relying
On one who is miserly or one who is generous.

11. A land that dishonours the noble and honours knaves -
Evil has overwhelmed the times.

12. And I shall remember in it a man who was immersed
In plenty when there was opportunity for generosity.

13. And I shall grope my way through the darkness of night,
A king through what his hands possess of horses and generosity.

14. He seeks only purebred steeds, short spears,
White swords, and noble horses of battle.

15. From a people who exemplified all that is good -
He established their glory and made it endure.

16. His banners were never raised in procession
Except to return having conquered lands.

17. Seizing whatever he wished from its territories,
Not granting respite to kings.

18. Pulpits tremble at the mention of his name,
Poles quiver in joy at the thought of him.

19. Like the flowing pearls of his crown, he has words
That please you in how they begin and conclude.

20. Like the advent of spring, his waist has a figure
That outdoes the generous in generosity.

21. In his hands are death and wishes -
Subduing the recalcitrant and gratifying seekers.

22. Green meadows that have always been
A place of comfort for the anguished.

23. Determination that ignites, opinions like
The striking of steel on flint by those who kindle fires.

24. So let every eminent man strive to support
A pillar of faith that cannot be made to soften or bend.

25. The twisting of hands counts the inheritance money -
Uprightness and kindness lead to ruin.

26. When he hears praise or satire, he has a face
That draws the clear water of streams.

27. O son of the exalted, unleash their steeds
To the furthest extent on the day of racing.

28. They built their glories with a reckless horse
And a gazelle who knew the stoniness of the desert.

29. So people are either a praiser of them
Or one who secretly harbours malice.

30. The hand of Yafith attained the heights of glory through them -
For they are his children.

31. A people who, if aroused for battle while the day
Was black as the darkest night:

32. They mounted the smooth-running horses and stood out
White as the tongues of morn dressed in iron.

33. They donned iron armour and stripped themselves
To leather the colour of sparks from the blacksmith’s fire.

34. They sought the shade of high places and felt
The roughness of rugged land and embraced misfortunes.

35. With white swords whose blades had tasted
The blood of victims and spared lives.

36. The feast of breaking the fast has come to you -
So have an Eid of happiness ever repeating.

37. Ramadan has passed while you filled its nights
With piety and devotion dazzling the worshippers.

38. So receive these words of mine as a bride adorned
With necklaces of meaning, singular and paired.

39. Submit, live in prosperity, and enjoy a state
That satisfies the Guardian and subdues the envious.