1. I chide my wailing for some of these troubles,
And restrain the gushing of my falling tears.

2. I am not one led astray to return, nor am I
One who is driven to his hateful fate unwillingly.

3. For you I have a heart that does not reject guidance,
Nor is it possible for one who charges headlong to control me.

4. Yet this world has oppressed my side,
And I cannot truly acquiesce to the oppressor.

5. At the court of Kisra's son, there is a seat for the son of Caesar,
When the two great empires are brought low.

6. Let me gain friendship and praise from a people
Who shoot forth glory, hitting every target.

7. When they bestow praise, they lower no other glory,
Can necklaces come undone, or the wings of doves?

8. Among them praiser follows praiser
And no sincere devotion lacks increase.

9. They are a people whose eulogist says of them
I am fortunate with my fortune, peace unto the secure faith.

10. As for a brother who favors me with benevolence, a master
In reality, though not in name, uneven is he.

11. He sees me as having the best fortune of any companion,
And holds me as the choicest of servants.

12. He cements the causes of affection between us
Our love of the righteous, the family of Hashim.

13. And our professing divine unity to God alone,
And defending His religion against every opponent.

14. With knowledge that doubt cannot assail,
Nor the criticism of a critic harm it.

15. And our applying thought to every obscure issue
That confounds the minds of translators.

16. Each of us passes the night wrestling
With his chest to prove God's argument, a chest torn by anxieties.

17. We have blunted the proboscises of slander by force of truth,
Leaving of them only stumps.

18. And our love of elegant prose from an eloquent composer,
And poetry that pours forth pearls and corals.

19. They provide us lessons that keep the shameless away,
And abstention from committing sins.

20. When we speak our views, we permit good
And forbid evil.

21. They make acknowledge truth completely,
And forbid denying it to the oppressed.

22. They make the niggardly rain clouds speak at times,
And the gutless, trembling coward take courage.

23. They give voice to the silent in every revered assembly,
As difficult as a tightly-wound turban.

24. Have I then overstepped in what I have claimed between us?
So who complains of what I have attributed to the complainant?

25. Can one like me ask you, when faced with
Every fool and future folly?

26. My brother, no good-seeking brother is disappointed in you,
Nor one who praises you left in wrongdoing.

27. And what wrongdoing in praising one whose praise
Equals glorifying God by one fasting?

28. A youth who has left poetry's delightful eulogies
That were once filled with calumny.

29. When his outstanding traits pour down abundantly,
Then superior traits pour down from the clouds.

30. Deceitful experience guides you to him,
And will honey sicken one fasting?

31. One who has never tasted life's spirit while alive
Will never taste it, not even partially.

32. You will find him attacked by envy,
Yet you do not see any fault in him.

33. That is only foes' claim he is blameworthy,
For they saw his blaming them for their faults.

34. Delicate in courtesy, but his generosity is abundant,
His determination piled up and not scattered.

35. He hides what should be hidden of his brother's faults
And does not conceal his God-given bounty.

36. When people count diversion as transgression,
He counts it as duty's measure.

37. I rose to him with hidden thoughts, hoping through him
You would see me rise with footsteps firmly planted.

38. And when I resolved and mounted my determination
To the glorious summit, chief of chiefs.

39. The envious saw my fortune before it came,
So they paid evil for good in advance.

40. Distracted from consultation by remembering him,
Even old age's grinding file did not visit me.

41. As if, when I thought of him and Muhammad,
I aspired to Ows ibn Sada and Hatim.

42. My departure, I pray God grant mercy
Extended through mothers who endure loss.

43. For the one whose mother prays for her son's mercy
Is surely the most merciful of those who show mercy.

44. Leave me a parish that does not endure, and depend
On a succession from God's enduring parish.

45. For He who carries me over the sea in a ship
Will protect me from its crushing waves.

46. Entrust my parish at my passing
To Him who shepherded us of old during afflictions.

47. He is the Sustainer, and we and others
Are, by His eye, grazed like beasts.

48. Whoever believes people tend their souls
Without Him, let him reflect on grazing animals.

49. For if they are God-inspired despite ignorance,
Let him admit the Subduer of opponents.

50. Indeed, pray God for me in my travel,
For seeking refuge in Him is best.

51. His neighbor is safely far from ruin.
And my hopes in Him who always favored me are good.

52. Say that the sorrow of parting will be followed
By God with joy at the coming of one missed.

53. She said, "Will you leave at dawn?" I said, "Dawn's shadow stretches out,
So many a soft breeze has blown my sleeve's edge."

54. Does my shedding tears of parting on my face make you weep?
Shame keeps me from wasting it in hard times.

55. Protecting a face that refuses humiliation, O mother of Salem,
Is not waste when protecting it from disgrace.

56. No hoarder protected a face by asking
The protected money from spendthrifts.

57. God refused that I covet that wealth, and that
My hopes encircle it longingly.

58. I am not like Ishmael impatience toward it,
Nor a free man impatient toward a freeman.

59. No hoarder stored, or abundant giver lacked,
Without the fires of sorrows burning him.

60. My agitated heart and the sorrows of love and longing
Are hottest when proven, not every hothead.

61. So do not wrong my heart if my face wastes away,
For I see harming my honor as the worst of devices.

62. The face does not deserve the shady side
More than a hidden kingdom under thick veils.

63. We Greeks are a people with lineage and glory,
Wisdom and sharp spears of sturdy timber.

64. Patience like mountains' pillars and prudence
That avoids blind ignorance.

65. When we commit ourselves, our affairs are systematic,
We do not fret if faces frown.

66. We are not like people whose concerns are
Glowing cheeks and sharp razors.

67. Those lowly ambitions have been condemned,
The worries of girls with downy cheeks.

68. Our mirrors are those that reflect
Swords tested on skulls, not turning away.

69. When we bare them for an awful day,
We see softened faces and blunted blades.

70. Our mirrors do not become distracted then
By the shaving we neglect in our ferocity.

71. They know they are bared only to strike heads,
Not for shaving cheeks of handsome youths.

72. Those are our mirrors, they suffice us,
With the face of Father Sahl, bane of foreigners.

73. When it appears to onlookers, it resembles
His view when faced with complex events.

74. A youth I will not call a youth for newness,
But for noble traits and honest resolves.

75. Which come together in a scabbard adorned
With ornament God allowed none but a sharp sword.

76. The brother of five charming, beautiful sisters,
As harmonious as pearls upon a necklace.

77. Beauty, bounty, elegance, help,
And perception that reveals the unseen, no conjecture.

78. O who is for you in this world a more wonderful aide,
Gentle of manner, staunch of might?

79. A Mercury whom the graceful love,
And a surly Saturn he makes peace with.

80. A youth whose names and traits
Became auspicious in sturdy bodies.

81. If people marked foreheads with his praise,
They would enjoy the sting of needles.

82. I saw the people either untaught scholar,
Or unwise sage when tested.

83. But Father Sahl, I saw him
With good traits combined, no empty claims.

84. From him I sought wealth and knowledge eagerly,
I found him a deep, boundless sea.

85. Through him I gained refuge from all I fear,
I found him an unyielding mountain.

86. He answered when I called a people,
Some slept unaware, some slumbering.

87. With a response after which I care not
For one deaf toward me or determined.

88. And I marvel hearing any called but him
Responding to the stumbling foreigner.

89. A youth whose mention passing by
Still severs the forest, roaming its valleys.

90. The work of a genius whose bounty proclaimed
You in every valley, none tiring of your praise.

91. Tongues fall silent hearing it
Pain of jaws and repeated beatings clear.

92. EarsListen spellbound, and are battered
By blows following blows.

93. They show resentment that some people see it
As painful noise midst diversion and revelry.

94. When with me turned toward them their faces
Are as if lined with forceps.

95. They tested my flesh and tasted bitterness
That made them stop, not piercing veils.

96. It matters not that the sheikh of Carmathians roused no thought of it,
Nor the sheikh of Dariya.

97. Father Sahl, bane of foreigners, his face appears
When complex events appear to the wise.

98. From him issues a Nile that flows to all settled,
Rather, to every soul asleep or awake.

99. No absent is absent to your heart's depths
Though absent from your eyes, O best of generous ones.

100. In a memorizing chest I gave you it pure white,
And if presented blackened on parchment.

101. Sword casts are earth's answer, they do not cease
To shake in its burrows and隅 the shy beasts.

102. They rouse hearing from slumber until they are learned
By heart, and mouths are armed.

103. They travel by your mention, ceaselessly
Cutting through forests to reveal their valleys.

104. The work of a genius, your merit proclaimed
In every valley by one enraptured with your praise.

105. For it mouths remain silent though it speaks
Clear agonies of jaws and repeated beatings.

106. Ears listen raptly, and at times
Are battered by blow after blow.

107. They resent that some people see it
As painful noise midst pleasure and revelry.

108. When they look at me approaching, their foreheads
Are as if lined by pincers.

109. They tested my flesh and tasted bitterness
That made them stop, not tearing veils.

110. It matters not that the Sheikh of Kermān roused no thought of it,
Nor the Sheikh of Dariya.

111. Father Sahl, scourge of foreigners your face appears
When complex events baffle the wise.

112. From him issues a Nile that flows to all settled,
Rather, to every soul asleep or awake.

113. No absent are absent to your heart's depths
Though absent from your eyes, O best of generous ones!

114. In a memorizing chest I gave you it pure white,
And if presented blackened on parchment.

115. Sword casts are earth's answer, they do not cease
To shake in its burrows and scare the shy beasts.

116. They rouse hearing from slumber until they are learned
By heart, and mouths are armed.

117. They travel by your mention, ceaselessly
Cutting through forests to reveal their valleys.

118. The work of a genius, your merit proclaimed
In every valley by one enraptured with your praise.

119. For it mouths remain silent though it speaks
Clear agonies of jaws and repeated beatings.

120. Ears listen raptly, and at times
Are battered by blow after blow.

121. They resent that some people see it
As painful noise midst pleasure and revelry.

122. When they look at me approaching, their foreheads
Are as if lined by pincers.

123. They tested my flesh and tasted bitterness
That made them stop, not tearing veils.

124. It matters not that the Sheikh of Kermān roused no thought of it,
Nor the Sheikh of Dariya.

125. Father Sahl, scourge of foreigners, your face appears
When complex events baffle the wise.

126. From him issues a Nile that flows to all settled,
Rather, to every soul asleep or awake.

127. No absent is absent to your heart's depths
Though absent from your eyes, O best of generous ones!

128. In a memorizing chest I gave you it pure white,
And if presented blackened on parchment.

129. Sword casts are earth's answer, they do not cease
To shake in its burrows and scare the shy beasts.

130. They rouse hearing from slumber until they are learned
By heart, and mouths are armed.

131. They travel by your mention, ceaselessly
Cutting through forests to reveal their valleys.

132. The work of a genius, your merit proclaimed
In every valley by one enraptured with your praise.

133. For it mouths remain silent though it speaks
Clear agonies of jaws and repeated beatings.

134. Ears listen raptly, and at times
Are battered by blow after blow.

135. They resent that some people see it
As painful noise midst pleasure and revelry.

136. When they look at me approaching, their foreheads
Are as if lined by pincers.

137. They tested my flesh and tasted bitterness
That made them stop, not tearing veils.

138. It matters not that the Sheikh of Kermān roused no thought of it,
Nor the Sheikh of Dariya.

139. Father Sahl, scourge of foreigners, your face appears
When complex events baffle the wise.

140. From him issues a Nile that flows to all settled,
Rather, to every soul asleep or awake.

141. No absent is absent to your heart's depths
Though absent from your eyes, O best of generous ones!

142. In a memorizing chest I gave you it pure white,
And if presented blackened on parchment.

143. Sword casts are earth's answer, they do not cease
To shake in its burrows and scare the shy beasts.

144. They rouse hearing from slumber until they are learned
By heart, and mouths are armed.

145. They travel by your mention, ceaselessly
Cutting through forests to reveal their valleys.

146. The work of a genius, your merit proclaimed
In every valley by one enraptured with your praise.

147. For it mouths remain silent though it speaks
Clear agonies of jaws and repeated beatings.

148. Ears listen raptly, and at times
Are battered by blow after blow.

149. They resent that some people see it
As painful noise midst pleasure and revelry.

150. When they look at me approaching, their foreheads
Are as if lined by pincers.

151. They tested my flesh and tasted bitterness
That made them stop, not tearing veils.

152. It matters not that the Sheikh of Kermān roused no thought of it,
Nor the Sheikh of Dariya.

153. Father Sahl, scourge of foreigners, your face appears
When complex events baffle the wise.

154. From him issues a Nile that flows to all settled,
Rather, to every soul asleep or awake.

155. No absent is absent to your heart's depths
Though absent from your eyes, O best of generous ones!

156. In a memorizing chest I gave you it pure white,
And if presented blackened on parchment.

157. Sword casts are earth's answer, they do not cease
To shake in its burrows and scare the shy beasts.

158. They rouse hearing from slumber until they are learned
By heart, and mouths are armed.

159. They travel by your mention, ceaselessly
Cutting through forests to reveal their valleys.

160. The work of a genius, your merit proclaimed
In every valley by one enraptured with your praise.

161. For it mouths remain silent though it speaks
Clear agonies of jaws and repeated beatings.

162. Ears listen raptly, and at times
Are battered by blow after blow.

163. They resent that some people see it
As painful noise midst pleasure and revelry.

164. When they look at me approaching, their foreheads
Are as if lined by pincers.

165. They tested my flesh and tasted bitterness
That made them stop, not tearing veils.

166. It matters not that the Sheikh of Kermān roused no thought of it,
Nor the Sheikh of Dariya.

167. Father Sahl, scourge of foreigners, your face appears
When complex events baffle the wise.

168. From him issues a Nile that flows to all settled,
Rather, to every soul asleep or awake.

169. No absent is absent to your heart's depths
Though absent from your eyes, O best of generous ones!

170. In a memorizing chest I gave you it pure white,
And if presented blackened on parchment.

171. Sword casts are earth's answer, they do not cease
To shake in its burrows and scare the shy beasts.

172. They rouse hearing from slumber until they are learned
By heart, and mouths are armed.

173. They travel by your mention, ceaselessly
Cutting through forests to reveal their valleys.

174. The work of a genius, your merit proclaimed
In every valley by one enraptured with your praise.

175. For it mouths remain silent though it speaks
Clear agonies of jaws and repeated beatings.

176. Ears listen raptly, and at times
Are battered by blow after blow.

177. They resent that some people see it
As painful noise midst pleasure and revelry.

178. When they look at me approaching, their foreheads
Are as if lined by pincers.

179. They tested my flesh and tasted bitterness
That made them stop, not tearing veils.

180. It matters not that the Sheikh of Kermān roused no thought of it,
Nor the Sheikh of Dariya.

181. Father Sahl, scourge of foreigners, your face appears
When complex events baffle the wise.

182. From him issues a Nile that flows to all settled,
Rather, to every soul asleep or awake.

183. No absent is absent to your heart's depths
Though absent from your eyes, O best of generous ones!