1. They laugh at the cold and the light of pear trees,
And their smiles have the flavor of meadows in the wind.

2. When they emerge from their chambers, they reveal
A cure for your cares in roses and apples.

3. When their lids are lowered, their glances
Heal with a sorcery pure and serene.

4. Hearts flock to them, and one may see
In them the confused gait of the love-smote gazelle.

5. Love makes the healthy ill when passion
O’erflows in the lover—yet to the wakeful it is joy.

6. My celibacy ceased, stopping the westering of my prime,
And gray hair appeared, halting the flight of my youth.

7. Now is the time to disobey wantonness, since the hue
Of youth has passed, and to obey seemliness.

8. I will tell you about the clan of al-Jarrāḥ
And their gear of saddles and generosity.

9. Their abode was in Persia where the steeds
Contend, urged on with cries at morningtide,

10. A house of honor and the glory of noble lineage,
Conquering, yet gentle to those defeated.

11. They inherited writing and horsemanship
From every white ancestor of theirs, illustrious,

12. Scribes to kings whose rule was just because of their counsels,
Bringing to the Caliphate splendor or bright dawn.

13. With the breasts of their pens they return
To them glory of governance or breasts of spears.

14. As for misfortunes, I have overcome them
And conquered them by means most excellent.

15. By my father Muḥammad, whose hand’s dew reached me
And perfected the plumage of my wings.

16. His laughter foretells favor, his palm a sea
To the seeker’s palm unstinting.

17. The copious receiver, made joyful, will become, through us,
Independent of the owners of scanty streams.

18. My soul be your ransom! Oft you have enriched me,
Sparing me these phantoms.

19. Imagined natures, without natural traits,
Pleased; and bodies without spirits.

20. Therefore my reliance will be placed in you, beyond them,
And my going and coming be toward you, away from them.

21. How many hands have been yours though I did not point them
Toward the fertile plain with palm trees luxuriant!

22. If you have shut up the beneficent there, yet I
In gratitude will be foremost of praisers.

23. If I have asked a need of you, by the consequence of what
I have exalted and been confident would be granted.