1. The implorer seeks aid from You, though far,
Yet my share of Your help is meager.

2. My only sin to You is neighborliness
As close as a vein to its artery.

3. And a cordiality between two elders of ours
Long tied, though time and scheming fray it.

4. And a kinship of refined manner and wisdom
More remote than that of a distant cousin.

5. My hope in You has always been longstanding,
A belief never forestalled by any creed.

6. With it I have preceded everyone to You
Since we were babes or toddlers.

7. And my heart would be cheered by your probity
For the righteous do not hide rectitude.

8. And it attests that You will rise to the heights
And reach them; no perjurer is the witness.

9. Why has the custom of your hand deserted me?
Custom has no deviation with my like.

10. Why do I remain for You most loving?
Suckling love until sated the increase?

11. Your disdain hasstained me beyond cleansing,
Nor did time for it have a warning.

12. I'd excuse You had I known You fickle,
Unstable glory has no duration.

13. I'd have said my longtime view of Him was flawed,
No longer would I love Him if Eid passed.

14. But how so when You know me not learned
Of any flaw in your olden glories?

15. Are You not the son of the praiseworthy?
Your pride in ancestry I do not gainsay.

16. Are You not the scion of those who sang of yore?
They were the freemen; people, slaves.

17. Do you reckon the smiles of fate belittle me?
My breast filled with envy, painful, severe?

18. I've no envy; your status is not mine,
Does the hunter envy what he doesn't catch?

19. How so when I've not fallen short of hopes?
How so when I've not gotten what I sought?

20. If this fate contents You, fate indeed,
Then I am inheritor seeking increase.

21. Have you not seen God's blessings assail
And favor you, long of frame and hale?

22. Take of status and wealth what you desire,
For me, whatever profits, you provide.

23. Does a gown for one like You glorify
Before my stature? Vain the fancy!

24. No son of Miqaffa` by your side
If you count your number, no surplus.

25. Nor Kulthum with his epistles and ode
And pages of eulogy, writ competing.

26. Nor `Abdul-Hamid, though time honoring him
Has testified, lasting, to his glory.

27. Why then do I see you fall short of attainment
When peerless you are among all mankind?

28. I pity who sees you with such an eye,
Far from one whose sight is hard and blind!

29. Finally, you may remark my plight has lingered
And its confusion lasts, no path ahead.

30. Yet ability to profit remains with you;
As for loss, my thanks for that are ready.

31. So grant me an audience to heal and suffice
Once commenced, do not repeat.

32. It would shake up the Prince―useless to stem
The pounding cascade, loud in its repeat.

33. Will you be pleased if I'm deprived while others
Obtain hopes whose buds are burgeoning?

34. You are the pillar of every honor, nay,
And of every soul of generous stock.