1. Tell of eyes lined with kohl,
And heal a heart by spreading pleasant fragrance,

2. Fill a cup with talk and give me more
Of chatter about the roe deer and gazelle,

3. About glances that have broken my heart with their charm
Piercing arrows unleashed from a brunette’s wrist.

4. Sorceresses, though the weakest thing,
Indolent, they hunt the boldest heroes.

5. How my heart bade them farewell with a gesture
From sleepy, languid, perfectly-poised eyes,

6. Her tresses curling over her temple
Like a crescent moon visible overhead,

7. Perplexed between confusion and rapture
By the scent of youth and coquetry,

8. A young gazelle skipped playfully
Revealing herself, deeming all else cheap,

9. My people! What sublime, infatuating gazelles,
With a bosom that makes the mountains envious!

10. With lips that rival carnelian in their shy smile
And a grin that can undo necklaces.

11. She does not heed an enamored man and considers it licit
To kill the ardent lover.

12. And my passion for her grows even hotter
While my heart cannot stop loving her.

13. What sorrow the departure of friends has caused me!
Do not blame me for leaving my comrades and family!

14. My cheek bears a scar like my beloved’s mole—
Otherwise my falling tears would flow like a scar.

15. Do not blame me! For to blame me is ignorance!
And to preach to me impossible!

16. Sleep soundly after stealing my sleep, my friend!
If my loss gives you pleasure then it is licit for me.

17. If you would help, seek to soothe my slumber
One day I may glimpse but an apparition.

18. My flame, if only your heart could know
A minute of the agony I suffer!

19. For my affair with the beloved is strange—
My separation means connection to him.

20. Whenever my heart is his mirror and he manifests himself
He is like the mirror of the eye of perfection.

21. He is the full moon whose glory ascends
Above the walls of the highest heavens,

22. Embodying the most sublime images—
Gracious through his overflowing munificence.

23. He granted them familiarity through his charm
And clothed them in splendid raiment,

24. Revealing his openhandedness and generosity,
Munificence streaming from its source,

25. Adorning them in the garb of glory,
Cloaked in the fine traits of moral character.

26. He prevailed by his wisdom and attained sublime rank
Through dissemination of excellent deeds,

27. Thus he is valorous, and bounties adorn him,
A raincloud perpetually pouring forth.

28. My shining master ‘Ali is the apex of nobility,
On a plane above all other lofty men,

29. Glorious on the day of peace yet fierce in war,
A lion in battle under the battalions.

30. With steadfastness and familiarity with death
When the heat of battle causes cheeks to flush fiery red.

31. With his palm he quenches the thirsty
And with his palm blood flows from the deluded rebel.

32. He attained glory akin to his name and reached
The pinnacle of honor—full moon of the nights!

33. Qays of sight and Hatem in munificence—
Rather, he surpasses the best of loyal men!

34. O ‘Ali, bastion guarding my heart,
Protector, hearing my call!

35. A daughter of your intellect manifested in beauty
Praised in the sublime ode I made,

36. Seeking pardon as your brilliance appeared,
With a eulogy, O most loyal guardian!

37. From your faithful Christian has come
This poem hoping for your blessing.