1. He burdened me beyond my strength,
Blaming with stubbornness to make me yield

2. To what afflicts me, whether out of passion
Or grief.

3. He foolishly orders me to be happy
After witnessing the tears I have shed.

4. The injustice is to insist on gladness
When sorrow lies within my ribs concealed.

5. He whose tear ducts overflow is the one I yearn for,
My soul's delight, while spring days last.

6. This long night has been stretched out so no enemy
Can see the one you love or interrupt your bliss.

7. One party sets out, no reveler among them,
From Asma's abode, and another one arrives.

8. When we expect intimacy, the planets race,
The sleepy eyes of gazelles grow wide awake.

9. Fearing hate is but increase of torture
For the anxious one, not just its occurrence.

10. Wealth is bestowed or else denied
By Him who gives whatever we seek or refuse.

11. In poverty there is honor revived;
In the lies of hope there is but submission.

12. He whom extravagance has led
Has shown me what the vile person sees.

13. Moderation followed by ambition
Where wealth and contentment are confused.

14. My love will seek on the Feast day a ewe
Fat, tender, bleating with desire.

15. When we have brought them closer to the beloved's dwelling,
The nursing ewes forget us in their languorous repose.

16. High of rank, nearing a master
Whose place is lofty above his peers.

17. A light from his smile that cannot be matched
By the finely wrought blades of Indian swords.

18. A plainness in his tallness, that if it alone
Remained, armored forms would be shaped after it.

19. His feet come close to the pebbles
While his gaze remains fixed, relaxed, radiant.

20. The enemies are startled by a horseman
Who overawes or terrifies them.

21. Their purposes are divided, for they know him,
While they are as one in their scheming.

22. Do not be fooled by his forbearance, but beware
His power, in which swords inflict deadly blows.

23. The horses’ faces are marked by valor
In war until the ground is covered with slain foes.

24. If we set out early when his palm is still moist,
We will catch up with the caravan just leaving.

25. And if we walk in his perfumed breath, just say—
In the wafting fragrance of musk—we took delight.

26. Through his overflowing munificence I intercede
For favors granted early or by a benefactor.

27. We race to our appointed shares from his hand—
No laggard, no hasty snatcher among us.

28. The seven planets make their rounds,
Though one or the other may pause briefly and turn back,

29. Rising or setting in their celestial sphere,
A lofty sphere of glory buttressed by boughs.

30. Radiance in them is nothing special,
Nor is any lovely thing they initiate without precedent.

31. None of them fancies himself beyond
What he fancies in the Sublime Assembly.

32. Acts of courage have preferred the buyer
Of mental keenness over the seller.

33. The envious wish it transferred, but
Stability and self-reliance have taken control.

34. Relying on my father Ghānim’s favors,
I stand firm, my cave in his kingdom impenetrable.

35. The days have brought me so many debts
Preserved honorably in his care, never to lapse.

36. In his shade, how often have I suffered debasement,
My life still youth, my time still spring.