1. I found in love what none before me found,
Its purpose contradicts my nature's bent.

2. Though powerful it shows not but in a glance
Of the eye or in a sudden word's consent.

3. My privacy admits no jealous doubt,
Despite my freedom with the toothbrush absent.

4. I please not those whose love may yield regret
Though their nature calls for mere present content.

5. Gentle am I, though suffer at my might,
No blame of me in this does evidence present.

6. And if my passion brought suspect on me
From shades in dream, I'd veil mine eyes in sleep's tent.

7. Go bravely where disasters start, nor dread
What may befall, the youth's soul brooks no prevent.

8. But for the mind's decree that curbs the soul,
All men would be like sheep without relent.

9. If you gain not virtue throughout your life,
Then nothingness were better than life present.

10. He helps not wisdom, nor profits by it, is
No better than an idol resident.

11. But for the noble goals that make life prized,
The living to the lifeless were equivalent.

12. The wise attain what makes the foolish mourn
As the blood-letter finds his healing balm in torment.

13. Fame's sweet praise grants everlasting life
Immune from age and ruin's detriment.

14. Rise now, while high endeavors woo and call,
Stand first, while others hesitate, negligent.

15. In aspiring high, take no man's pedigree
As help, work for yourself, despairing never, reticent.

16. I am the son of him whose mighty soul
The world obeyed, of Arab and Ajam penitent.

17. Noblest king, whose mighty justice grew
To need no show of outward ornament.

18. My hands hold kingship's reins, and kings are slaves
To me, as is all time and circling firmament.

19. With Allah's guidance, sword, and pen, he gained
Empire of high and low by strength and wise temperament.

20. Strong counsel, knowledge, patience, sacred aims,
And providence - behold his government!

21. Would you see all the world and who has reaped
Its spoils, behold his palace and th' attendant

22. Seeing the monarchs' foreheads in the dust
Prostrate, though loftiest in realm and parent.

23. Dust that the stars of heaven themselves would give
Their substance to be, and joy in ascent

24. O'er it to utmost height. A house Time's night
And day alternate serving his commandment.

25. Life there, and peace its visitors in refuge,
Least of his gifts exceed whate'er is said in testament.

26. Gifts whose myriad bounty pleads his fame
With less than others' scatter of Life's lent.

27. Suppose him Shahinshah, and yet no gift
Were his, the world his life could not lament.

28. But that his might restored our weakened faith,
drowned else in the torrent of the turbident.

29. His swords lit with his wrath give back in blood
Our heroes, else disgraced in foul misjudgment.

30. When his decrees go forth, Time quails, and serves
His every wish, like servant penitent.

31. The sphinx keeps trembling vigil in her fear,
And Aesad crouch amid their scrunt entrenchment.

32. In heaven the meteors, and afreets in gloom,
The deep-sea monsters and the Jinn lie quiescent,

33. How many powers' mighty onslaughts fell to him!
How many sharp swords failed to make a dent!

34. Enthroned while kings stood fearful, armyless,
You rose when prostrate foes arose, negligent.

35. Restored faith's fallen champion with your voice,
Their ears deaf with fear, and senses violent.

36. Till you revived its weakened soul, and mended
Its broken will - investigator heaven-sent.

37. High traits are yours, as bounty is made perfect,
While human gifts are frail and transient.

38. To tell your virtues fully is denied me,
And so I fear the critic negligent.

39. As vainly measuring ocean's waves in hollows,
Or counting drops of rain in meadows pendant.

40. Vainly! - my describe falls short of you
Despite its amplitude - the wise are negligent.

41. If I cut short my poem, still the highest
Is reached by blunted dart and bow unbent.

42. The noblest aim may still the heartland penetrate
Shot from a fragile bow, and quiver empty spent.

43. If fail I must, yet brevity's appropriate
To wit - unlike prolixity, impermanent.

44. The best speech is terse, satisfying sense,
Not length, which counters wisdom, judgment's testament.

45. May this year bless you, ushering in omens
Of grace and life unlimited, magniloquent.

46. A year whose tidings guarantee you years
As countless as mankind's unspent inheritance.

47. Long life therein, and ever after, taste
The sweet unending, as your fame circumambient.