1. O Abu Ali, I sought your faults but could not find,
Your fault is lavishness, like the fragrance of musk when inhaled spreads delight,

2. Or like rain clouds whenever a seeker hopes to curb it, it pours down in plenty,
How excellent that a young man's fault be one which when mentioned ignites passion,

3. And not, my brother, did I seek your faults out of hatred or spite,
But out of care for a soul full of love that never wavered in affection for you,

4. I saw some faults that pricked me, which if a critic saw would yearn,
And become, due to missing you, full of regret, and from seeing fortune slip by, sorrowful,

5. And I feared that an evil eye would strike you with harm,
So I attributed a fault to you that would serve as protection, but found no ready alliance,

6. For I said “By God, nothing protects a man if the Glorious One forgives and the Forgiver absolves,”
God was with him wherever he was and His care surrounded him always,

7. I was truthful in what I truthfully sought of faults in you without malice or dishonesty,
O you of beautiful face, traits, character and mind however it turns,

8. O you whom if I praise to an enemy he admits and acknowledges,
I have an ailing loved one I want to return your favor with fine fragrance whenever he is weak,

9. So send him some incense like some of your previous kindnesses,
And let your breaths match the memory of you, and your perfume suffices me,

10. From your generous and distinguished aloes wood that when described excels over all others,
That which if the morning breeze of the meadows competed with it would not equal it,

11. Let it not be the smoke of amber for the jinni when inhaled causes dismay,
Do not mix aloofness into gentleness for sometimes the gentlest turns cold,

12. Far be it from you, in my affection for you, O kindest of all people in kindness,
Give the best and most for when you give the best my share in it is an honor,

13. And abundant foul water does not quench thirst, but what is good and pure does to the taster,
Truly, plentiful rotten is intrusive to the eye and heart and causes dislike,

14. And do not blame me for my persistence in judgment or in asking for luxury,
Whoever God beautified his face, traits and gave him refinement was obliged refinement,

15. Your beautiful face drew me to you until I asked you for gifts,
And we deem it enough that every generous person, when virtues mount, takes them up.

16. O jewel of the necklace, I have thoughts that crack open the oyster shell of your praise,
So allow me to thank you and you will find my gratitude then copious and more to come,