1. Was youth anything but an illusion that passed
It came and went like a glance of the eye then was gone

2. I see the shortest days were the best days of youth
And the longest were those filled with sorrow and pain

3. In the blindness of passion I wandered astray
Seeking in vain for a guide to lead me aright

4. And the day we met only to part I witnessed
With eyes that wept blood when I tried to restrain them

5. We caught up with the independent caravan at dawn
As it journeyed on from the spring bent on its goal

6. And I called out greetings, though it was a gazelle
I meant by my words, perfectly graceful and fair

7. No lover has lain awake all night, love-tossed,
Except by his pact, on his couch all consumed

8. My own heart led me, a tempted seduced
Until faded the bloom of my youth after time

9. Old age came, and still I refused to obey
These signs, though their warnings kept growing more plain

10. I say to the rain-clouds, as they travel apace:
Rain less or rain more, you will ne'er match my pain

11. Death it is, oh what pitiless, merciless death
To encounter with terror, unknowing, insane

12. A knight clothed in glory the dark nights for whom
The horizons shone bright which had shadowed lain

13. In wars he discovered his purpose made clear
No weakling can match him in valor and worth

14. East and west sing his praise, Yarid and Urub
Pray that safe through all perils his life may remain

15. Noble in spirit, to greatness inclined
Yet no man who seeks fame will true greatness attain

16. Open-handed, free, giving bounty to all
Yet each tribe of them finds him partial again

17. His gifts rain on them till they'd swear that his hands
Were the ocean, with riches to pour out the same

18. O Qasim! Your pearls filled the cups of the poor
And the wealthy with treasures, all people the same

19. When men cringe before you, paying court to your name
Still your greatness itself lags behind your acclaim

20. Greetings to you! Though all greetings are trite
To your face — no words needed — bowing says the same

21. See the Euphrates — a mountainous tide
Like a torrent in flood bursting seaward amain!

22. Not its habit at all! It was shamed into pride
By the noble example set by this river of fame

23. No, your smile was the light that shone bright from the land
And was dawn to the dark overcloud Eastern plain

24. With bright laughter the springtime comes dancing in joy
Till you'd swear that with blooms it found voice to exclaim

25. The sun rising while sleepy-eyed night lingers on
Wakes the buds into color, erst tightly closed, lame

26. From the trees spring has taken their mantles of grief
As he spreads out their new leaves all quivering aflame

27. He allows them to show to all rapturous eyes
Their delight, while they sorrowed when he was forbid

28. The breeze whispers, and seems to be bringing the sweet
Murmurings of voices erst stifled and hid

29. What prevents the soft airs that you loose from their cage?
What keeps silent the strings which your fingers once played?

30. Ever the sun for the penitent shadows you meet
As they wander distraught, other beacons to aid

31. Too noble you were to let wine rule your feast
Though it strove to control you and glory your name

32. You remain the true sun for hearts needing your light
As they wander in darkness more stars to reclaim