1. In gray hair a rebuke, if only it would rebuke,
And a preacher from it, were it not mere stone.

2. Clear white never blackened from its temples, and dawn
Returned in splendor before the daybreak was obscured.

3. For the youth there is ample time for love
Unless he dies with the hair on his head still black.

4. Grayness and love clashed, so they said,
And that is in that a sin that cannot be pardoned.

5. The adversities of fate accused me foolishly,
While the spring is naked, no fruit on its branch.

6. It was not the poor man whom the guesthouse blamed
But time itself needs the generous.

7. He consoled me about luck, saying old age will overcome me,
And made hardship lighter, knowing ease is coming.

8. Of all these people nothing lasting remains
That fancy can attain but these images.

9. Stinginess, ignorance, and pride in one’s lineage, all one -
From fig to fig the track passes by.

10. When my charms that I display
Are my sins, say to me how I can make excuses.

11. I shake men of great age with poetry
Who in ignorance, if struck with swords, would not feel it.

12. It is for me to mint rhymes from their elements,
And not for them if cows understand.

13. I will travel though my hopes are scattered
By the secret of him who determined their fate.

14. After twenty fruitless months, so it seems,
Bringing no decision, no promise to wait for.

15. Were it not for Ali son of Murr lasting for us
A succession of life in it - misfortune and patience!

16. He carried us to the most splendid heights attainable
By leaping upon the heedless, and the least effort of his journeying.

17. He was lavish in his generosity and his clouds did no harm,
Though sometimes his importunity harmed the rain.

18. The attainer is not wearied by exhausting his endeavor,
And how should gazing tire the eye that looks?

19. Upon the Bedouin appeared blessings from him abundant,
And a fresh coat the like of which town dwellers also gained.

20. Gifts we did not trouble to ask for,
Since the cloud is fickle, not to be scorned.

21. He is feared among us yet in his glance no spark,
Amid the flowing stream, no twist in his cheek.

22. The chill of terror, the shudder of fright gathered,
Glowing yet cool, the meteors of war blazing.

23. When he rose to the heights of insight there flashed for him
What is in mysteries that hide and so are veiled.

24. He experienced life’s vicissitudes and there was no littleness
In the disasters that came naked or greatness.

25. His stature was like a spear, ten and one arm’s lengths,
So neither height nor shortness can be reproached in it.

26. He was long tested, and his firm resolves
Made stern the people of repute while he was a lad among them.

27. His views today are Indian swords unsheathed
While once his views were mere sticks.

28. He is a stairway on the hillsides of glory climbing them,
As if to rest from the struggle he descended.

29. He continued to excel until his envier said
He has a shortcut to supremacy.

30. Sweet his zeal if you gain satisfaction from it,
And bitter if you keep it suppressed.

31. I warned his enviers away from him and said to them:
The torrent by night leaves nothing remaining or ruins it.

32. Cease, or else you who harbor secret rancor
Will be ruined when the tiger displays his daring.

33. He twists them when he grapples enemies, bending them,
Until he goes his way, and the claws hold victory.

34. Blameworthy it is if you enter into the range of his anger,
Knowing that when able he will forgive.

35. He deprives sleepers of repose, does not cease stoking
Almost eclipsing those the moon illumines.

36. When the Pleiades rose over it, taking
The reins of Aldebaran, which are the thorns and trees.

37. You saw manifest glory among the tribe of Udadh,
Since the glory of every tribe apart from them is news.

38. Do good to Abu Hasan with poetry since its stars
Scattering praise on you have obliged you.

39. So rhymes have come to you void of any use
As blossoms open void of the soaking rain.

40. In it carnelians and wild roses, if worn,
On the day of boasting, and in it tatters and ink.

41. He who praises himself with poetry will be praised in
Its multiples, so by poems he glories.