1. The journey lengthens as I see desire renewed
What today brings me will come tomorrow too

2. Oh glance, I did not intend its harm
Yet so it was, and how would I intend?

3. Fate brought us love, and in it we were tried
So failed is he who does not languish so

4. If you seek witness of my love, then ask
My heart, for it alone bears testimony

5. Long has been our separation, with no end
As if each day we only grow apart

6. I wander, calling if the breeze blows soft
From Egypt, rousing memories within

7. More than my fervor for you is my regret
Bewildered, barely knowing I still live

8. I curb my patience lest grief defeat it
Though intention lasts, it fades away

9. Unique in his time, no wonder he
Alone attracts the singular man's love

10. You who named me uniquely yours, how could
This matchless one not win your favor too?

11. Fires kindle in my breast, and gladly so
My heart delights that they ignite for you

12. To you I confess what I hide from the world
As if, beloved, you were here with me

13. When night falls, cloaking all in its veil
And shadows creep above the horizon

14. To God I confess my darkness without you
His throne bowed down before, angels prostrate

15. He created love for us, and us for it
What else here had a newborn cry but love?

16. Time pours on ceaselessly, nature a stream
And love flickers and gutters midst them both

17. Shall I be torn from you after being knit
To your heart? No solace if deprived of you

18. For you I yearn, and yearning never ends
Once desire is spent, yet I desire on

19. You deny me nearness after once allowing it
Perplexing me by giving now, now withholding

20. Do not disavow loyalty of old, its signs
Stand evident, irrefutably displayed

21. Fate marshalled troops against me, unrelenting
Rousing clamor, though times were still serene

22. To disquiet returned that knew no sleep
While days were peaceful and souls secure

23. My sword was sheathed when I met them before
Now bared again to meet the threat anew

24. When the young man's fortunes shift and darken
His spirit vexed by the days' fickle face

25. The stars incline his fate as he desires
And destiny conveys him where he wishes

26. By God, from a man I accept no disgrace
And death, for all free souls, will be embraced

27. A lofty ambition, stirring itself to life
Part kindling part, till its years renew

28. Oh glory of my people, you gained no increase
From me, but gloried in their time as they did

29. I gave youth my reins, and it bolted away
Out of control, however I tried to rein it in

30. Too long it thwarted my specific aims
For every youth, some days are so misspent

31. We shoot, and shoot each other, like stars crossed
Their arrows hit; mine miss and fall away

32. Oh Lord, why do singers outlast their men
Whose solid strength outlasts mere warbling trills?

33. Have mercy on those maddened by passion scattered
By the hand of love - have mercy, Lord

34. They are like doves, their fortunes rise and fall together
If above the tree-top one coos, they all do

35. You who've left, though still I pine each day for you
My longing gives the poets words to voice

36. Can time bring back the joy of seeing you again?
Or after this day will it cease to do so?

37. Alas, no assignation can be made
Rare were our meetings, and rare the chance again

38. Effort failed to keep us parted, though it strove
Why make effort now, when it cannot succeed?

39. Between us glory is apportioned fair
I laud you, while you are the Praised One still

40. I surpass you only in generosity
For mine exceeds, however yours excels

41. Our brotherhood stands, a firm edifice
Lasting, while fellowship endures unchanged

42. I trust you to safeguard affection between us
Even as I do, Lord shelter it from harm

43. Shield your perfection from envious eyes
That look on excellence only to resent

44. And conquer this world by an iron resolve
Our forebears gained it so, and so subdued it

45. Today no noble soul lives in honor
No man of worth sees his star in ascent

46. Soon destruction will visit the East
Troubles multiply, and dangers threaten

47. Stalwart defenders preceded this age
But builders are gone, their works abandoned

48. I yearn for a life now denied me
Though once it was mine, and tranquil at that

49. We knew days when love struck us both
And drew the pledged brothers ever closer

50. We brandished pens in lands gone astray
Nearly pagan, had God not kept them safe

51. These are arid times, dangers are rife
And the path ahead barred and difficult

52. You thrived a time in your youth but it is gone
And will go, unless we prepare ourselves now

53. To see one I hold dear honor me so
Is joy enough, my brother, my leader

54. You have honored me, so yours is the praise
No man prospers but for the aid you give

55. From you I learned loyalty, learned it well
And a man lives as he becomes accustomed

56. Let your light shine on excellence forever
Vanquishing the horizons, your fame undying