1. Convey to Abu Sahl, the noble Persian youth, whom
The Arabs have come to wish would become one of them,

2. O you whose resolve and tongue the next morning
Became two swords, keen in battles and in orations,

3. Thanks be to Allah who, from His bounty,
Granted us in you beauty in reversal of fortunes,

4. And thanks be to Allah who turned adversity aside,
And thanks to Allah who removed distress,

5. We used to grant you gifts time after time
Until, when you were rescued from the grasp of sterility,

6. Great gifts accrued to you, for you made us forget
Everything in which we had taken pride,

7. So leave off gifts! You yourself are a gift to us
From Him of the Ladders, and gifts should not be demanded,

8. We are too shy, now that you have come to us,
After despair, to weary you with requests,

9. Who sees you, when you are safe, and does not see
Richness in you, not in pearls or gold?

10. We seek nothing but you; the craving of a man
For more than his needs is the craving of a dog.