1. My blame lies in estrangement and avoidance,
And in journeys to far lands in solitude.

2. For yearning's motives call me
To meet by lawful means or stealthily.

3. Excuses to be made, then purpose fixed
To reach you, between hesitation and resolve.

4. Though leaving half myself behind
I forget in distance, and in nearness remember.

5. A brother I would make him, sharing intimacy,
And begging for him raindrops from clouds.

6. If I summon him he is a sea-bay,
Or if I rouse him, a brook in the hills.

7. When I enter his abode I find him
A boon companion, green of side.

8. Lord of the house, excelling in glory,
Rare in fortune, generous in giving.

9. Wilderness to the ears, not to be companied
With repetition of blame and reproach.

10. He sees refusal of a friend as a fault
And takes reproach for abuse.

11. He was not pushed away from wants by slowness
As camels shoved away at the mounting-place.

12. Abu Bishr, you are my brother and beloved,
He who accepts my trial and choosing.

13. Your ransom is a nurtured one of Zayd's clan,
My partisan, graceful in youth,

14. Who thinks little of being ill spoken of
If finely dressed, well praised tomorrow.

15. Base in wealth and wants fulfilled,
Wrongs forgiven and covered with dust.

16. Licensed over his testicles a general warrant,
However deep he probes into secrets.