1. The days of singing in the desert of Arbad,
Surely stirred up passion in one accustomed to tenderness,

2. The abodes have become abodes for the winds,
That wander between appearing and hiding.

3. Its ruins made my companion lament, so his tears poured,
And I did not say, “Be happier!”

4. And for the abode of Malikiyya, sorrow diminished,
From yearning that could not be controlled with weakened resistance.

5. The valleys watered it where its abodes had lodged,
Though they did not water one with great power.

6. It saw the gray hair of old age and smiled at it,
And said, “The stars, if they rose, would be more fortunate.”

7. You were not favorable to me when I was young,
So old age drew nearer when it was distanced.

8. You increase estrangement whenever my agony increases,
Yearning to return, yet here I am, driven away.

9. When will I regain the life that recently passed?
If my day with you is better than tomorrow.

10. By the life of the days, they did not rule over me,
Nor did I give them a bridled path.

11. How can I fear misfortunes and their turning
Upon me while Ahmad ibn Muhammad is with me?

12. Blamed for spending his fortune, yet glorious,
There is no glory but for the blamed, the impoverished.

13. Whitest are his gifts for the briefest asker,
Most generous are his gifts for the first beggar.

14. If they accost him with a question, he turns away from them,
Until he is unjust and transgresses.

15. Far from the youths ever catching up with him
If he travels a path upward to glory.

16. And among the people there are noble chiefs, their number
Though plentiful, there is one chief above a chief.

17. Becoming one in his determination and undertaking,
Bearing sincere advice for the caliphate, matchlessly.

18. Close to it for protecting all that is neglected,
Quick for it in gathering all that is scattered.

19. Too narrow for the trivial thing that betrays him,
Even if he has a spacious chest and hand in the evening.

20. Abu Hasan, our souls that your favors ransom,
From the turning away of afflictions, ransom you.

21. And our hopes in you have not reached an endpoint,
That we would see as satisfaction in your continuous fate.

22. So how when that opinion is not propped up by
An advisor, and that sword has not been girded?