1. Hear my praise of Ka'b though it reached not where he dwells-
Ka'b is exalted far above all praise however high it swells!

2. A right he has to poesy that cannot be gainsaid-
Not Solomon's self can judge it, nor al-Hasan's plead!

3. Does it irk you, reward to find beyond your power,
You who hold a realm so vast-al Sind, Jauf, and al-Yaman's tower?

4. Shall I then renounce all hope of the Caliphate, for ne'er
Shall the Caliph's mantle grace men of Najran or Aden's mere?

5. Deaf are your ears to my call, or are your eyes blind to my worth,
That I walk alone while you the pavement with your throngs engirth?

6. An arrow shot by you at random may haply give me pain,
Or kindle in my heart a madness not to be controlled with rein.

7. Yet I run my first course though no blinkers my eyes envelop:
You lose while I gain, although the loser you declare and dishevel.

8. My tongue shall be sheathed forever and make no bitter attack,
When you are named I'll naught but good or nothing give back.

9. God suffices me! May your eyes never the tears of sorrow dim,
Spirits of Yaman are you, while we are but bodies to that soul slim!

10. I turned to mine own soul and said, "They are thy father's sons-
So banish hatreds and rancours, leave off these anger guns!"