1. In your eyes the gleam of delirious stars,
And glimpses of my eyes, the sorcerer of fleeting glances.

2. Yearning of passion increased my torment,
And passion was testing for the lovesick and troubled one.

3. The specter of fantasy stirs youthfulness in me,
By Allah! How stirring is the specter of imagination!

4. I observed the forms of misfortunes, but found nothing,
More dreadful than the loss of the dear and intimate one.

5. No goodness when the dear one is close,
More vile than aloofness after nearness and intimacy.

6. Do the weak oppress me, after they had seen,
The assault of injustice whenever it ripens?

7. I intend victory, then my determination wavers,
Restrained by that which emancipates me and my dignity.

8. They both curbed my audacity and bridled my resolve.
So I did not go astray in the path of my approach.

9. Nor did I jeopardize the honor of a proud people,
The heat of fire was kindled in the family and home.

10. Yet the forbearance of the calm could be guarded against,
When dire need demands violence however regrettable.

11. I was attacked by one whom had I wished to attack,
I would have reached him in his slumber and laziness.

12. It is my habit, and weakness is not my habit,
That I do not depart from the presence of humiliation.

13. Were it not for the Emir, son of the Emir and his promise,
Those in Iraq would have few places for me to take refuge.

14. The brother of determination, the neigh of his determination,
Does not issue from one stumbling over snares.

15. With the Emir there is support, if called upon with it,
I will bewilder the legendary sorrows that confuse.

16. My gear which I resorted to and my weaponry,
For what I fear from the caprice of fate and shed tears over.

17. Despair will chill my heart, and despair is a spring,
Whence the souls draw chilliness when they scoop from it.

18. I resigned myself unwillingly and lowered my gaze,
To the choking livelihood, distressed and woeful.

19. And I faltered in my words and if I speak,
In an assembly I do not falter.

20. The foe thinks that I am finished, but nay,
It is old age in the chill of white hair.

21. I outgrew youth like outgrowing a cloak, and it saddened me—
The passing of the brother of intimacy, when will he pass by!

22. Who will convey on my behalf to the water-skin carrier that,
My place of complaint is vacant and my recreation.

23. When will the caravans come and their guide convey,
A message from one expelled from frivolity, annoyed?

24. We are but the rubbish of a water-skin and old vessels,
At the crossroads of the pilgrim’s pursuit, twisted.

25. Far apart, never to be drawn near for the intimacy;
To be chosen over it or invited to a discourse and avoid it.

26. Jaʿfar has gone and the Opening between Murammal,
And Sabīgh lies in blood, immersed.

27. Shall I seek supporters against fate after,
Aus and Khazraj took abode in the soil?

28. They were my masters whom through their merit,
I milked the prime of flourishing spring.

29. They passed away as fate intended, and after them I was left,
Addressing with authority the governor of Manbij.