1. A friendship that draws near, then keeps apart,
A passion you oppose, then take its part,

2. A whisper, when its flow seems scant, renewed
By soft illusion that still comes and sues;

3. No harm in her whose heart with love is fired
If quenched the thirst or spent what was desired,

4. Who grudged the granted boon of union, nay,
The blame is his who kept that boon at bay.

5. Your dwellings the clouds watered, and remain
A garden fresh and bright, no tract forlorn or vain.

6. Long there I found a home, through its retreats straying,
Where lofty branches win due praise from those who rove.

7. When yearning MEM’ry brought back thoughts of you one day,
My heart took fire, the riding camels rode away.

8. Your phantom came by night and where the stations were
Slim forms alit, the kneeling-places showed men there.

9. Can Goodness’ son, of deathless praise possest,
Whom MaHMûD’s bounty raised above the rest,

10. Forget the hand he stretched to her I never thought...
To win his favor, and to me left naught?

11. In bounty one, though Time brings but one chance;
You should suffice yourself that time’s expanse

12. Brought once the like of him whose mighty way
The tongues of swaggering Persia love to say -

13. “This is a kinsman of the Prince” they cry,
Or say “This is himself”, and do not lie.

14. Office and rule oppression threat, then he
Its flash illumes the depth of difficulty.

15. The path the nations know his fame has filled,
Wherein are virtue and the purpose skilled.

16. He sways affairs himself, his place of trust
Near to his station, but his aims more just.

17. Base things he passes o’er, his wisdom sound
Brings distant prospects to his view around.

18. Gone from the gaps, yet present to the gazer,
Or seen then hidden, like the lightning’s blaze.

19. So had the unjust tasted his strong hand,
And he made plain the ways that wisdom planned

20. With his wide bounty the old prowess blending;
His gifts unceasing through the world extending -

21. Gifts long persisting that o’erflow to drown
The critic, and make loud the once mean clown.

22. Clemency bridled hate, till I have seen
No victory ever brought as that, I ween.

23. Till pardoning seemed more heavy than the offence,
Which the wronged prince long purposed to avenge.

24. I said to him who sought to work you wrong
By some device: “Vain wretch! Why try so long