1. Do I stay longing or move on, a captive of love?
Do I persist in my passion or journey on, a captive of love?

2. The fervent critic is worn down in ecstasy -
No shortcoming or lack from him, nor any confinement.

3. Though bliss promised you delusion,
The sweetest promise is the delusion of bliss.

4. One who loved her first has parted from her,
And I, the last, am close to parting from her.

5. She refuses while her heart desires him -
And from the fires of her estrangement, embers burn.

6. Estrangement kindles fiercely in my core,
Igniting like glowing coals.

7. I wish the times would show me traces -
Fading cinders in which the ashes turn cold.

8. But the foolishness of one grown old
Is still seduced by fleeting shadows.

9. Our nights' companionship busies us,
And strolling and mornings preoccupy us.

10. I saw time composed of phases
Progressing, each minute fading faster than the last.

11. When do the days, diminishing, expire
Like the year whose months are consumed.

12. Indeed, the herald spoke what gladdened us -
If only the herald had been truthful to us!

13. With an army that strikes down the outskirts
And with which fortresses and frontiers are defended.

14. The time comes for vengeance on the enemy,
And this gloomy, somber day is guided.

15. As if over the Euphrates and its two banks
Mountains of Tihama had risen high.

16. At its edges, a sale is concluded,
While at its vanguard, an outstanding horse surges forth.

17. Whoever it takes far from it is brought near -
The fine steeds of Rabīʿah are present.

18. It will carry out - determination is imminent -
However affairs proceed according to its wishes.

19. The guarded secret - no inquirer comes near
What the conscience has hidden away from him.

20. Schemes with which no composure interferes,
Even if plotter and advisor are hasty.

21. Amplitudes - if a little were prolonged
The little would fall short of its amplitude.

22. Eyes see it affectionately
Elevated in spirits for its rising.

23. Dazzling in its banners, beautiful,
Imposing in its overflow, mighty.

24. When coats of mail answer its call,
Their excess is generosity and bounty.

25. A prince, bringing justice at times
And ministerial authority at other times.

26. The plenty of his drink cures our sicknesses
As the flowing cup the tapster presented.

27. Few like him, less than little,
And none among people as his peer.

28. Worthy for horses to be decked out in dishevelment
Behind horses that irritation provoked to revolt.

29. He illuminates the darkness of night with a face
That shines upon eyes and gives light.

30. When lightning flashed in the deserts, in it
You'd see lightning cloaked in clouds.

31. No watering place is nearer to overflowing
Than rivers, with seas claiming mastery over them.

32. A building no builder scrimped on,
Nor did the builder's worries fall short.

33. Delegations throng it from all regions -
Whether seeking favor or asylum.

34. So may blessings continually be perfected for you,
And may delight endure always for you.

35. For you is the mighty danger hearts
And lofty fates of people fear.

36. You thanked the victorious supporter for favors
Too great for ample thankfulness.

37. You never reciprocated one blessing
With another, as is your habit, blessed one.

38. Your wealth failed you, though it is clinging -
Not its habit to be abundant.

39. Compensate in prestige what satisfies you,
And the like of you, to him compensation matters.

40. So you were generous, granting me the height of hopes,
Customary for you is generosity famed.

41. I see myself, though in a land not my own,
Rising to my country, which is easy.

42. Your gratitude embraced every living soul -
Is there anyone indebted it would free?

43. You freed necks, so command my freedom
To my land, as you are worthy of it.