1. Time lingered long, unbending, unbent,
So halt on the sands where fate is evident.

2. Can you recall the parting that long ago
When you departed, though we wished it not so?

3. Nay! Your singing was sweetness when bitter blame
We heaped on you, and it only more sweet became.

4. O you, denying loves that hearts have known,
Whose cloaks belie the passions you have shown!

5. Beneath each breast those secrets lurk and burn
That tongues of lovers never can return.

6. And yet perchance what love each seeks to gain
Fate yet may bring, and equitably ordain.

7. What malady assailed to pervade my frame
In mass, when naught of ill sights I could claim?

8. From branches plucked, fruit stolen, serried care,
But hearts are fruits that little thieves would dare.

9. For troth I stand, when maids their trothplight give,
Since none but I cry 'I!' when lovers live.

10. And oft the turns of time cried out to me,
And I replied submissive, willingly,

11. Until respite I from time's caprice could gain
Which now takes respite, respite to maintain.

12. The great Almohad our power raised on high
So God what he had built bade mount the sky.

13. In willing and unwilling mastery rife
Upheld against all wavering winds of strife,

14. And proof of God who guided in His light
Ways of salvation radiantly bright.

15. Long fallen, now upraised to place of birth,
High pedigree and long historic worth.

16. The vizier gives it beauty girdled white
With purple Yemen and blue Misrite.

17. He flings about it thoughts' sane sapience,
Shunning betrayal and rank insolence,

18. Until to us it came begemmed with chains
The Caliph made its peerless peers.

19. The doughty cavalier on battle day
Its tail made battle's tail, bright display.

20. If horsemen wander lost from fray to fray,
Its name they breathe, to battle press away,

21. To show you how warfare's fires it lights
With water from the souls of valiant knights.

22. From its sword's sheath, its visage steel aglow,
Lightning flashes humbling every foe.

23. It kept faith with the Caliphs, betraying none,
By its troth held, no troth left undone,

24. Whence each Imam by counsel wise secured,
Spurning desire, strong of will and sure,

25. Until with them unshaken rank it claimed
None save it else could have maintained.

26. Its word was witness to its truthful way,
No proof required when it had spoke its say.

27. O refuge of mankind in bloody broil,
Why does an angel need mankind's turmoil?

28. In Cairo lies my heart's hope, so I came
And lack of it alone exile could claim.

29. Humbling myself to mighty deeds and trials
And the harshest occurrents I would profile.

30. On you I lean: bring us together again
And spare us the blows of fate. Say 'amen.'

31. For you the praise without my errand told,
Yours the praise without your errand extolled.