1. How great is the extent of what I hide and guard,
As tears render eloquent and sickness reveals.

2. I used to be supported by the rope of my patience,
With which I faced terrors, for it was firm.

3. And if passion toys with the heart of a young man,
Patience is doubtful, while passion is certain.

4. O heart, I used to think you firmer
Until conversations and eyes shook you.

5. The glance of a fawn from a veil enchanted you
And played with you in various ways.

6. And you were loyal when I kept you company in love,
But if I seek you in sobriety, you betray.

7. Passion itself is humiliation, though they
Made it lighter by omitting the N.

8. Do not congratulate one whose passion rules,
For if he became king of kings, his heart remains poor.

9. O comrade, let no docile gazelle deceive you,
For the gazelle is a wolf and the docile one a fox’s lair.

10. It bends its neck to every roar for its body,
Na’man, then for its thigh, Bareen.

11. Like a spear, straight, except that its point
Is a glance that pierces the heart of the reserved.

12. Do not go forth when eyes accost you,
For magic lies hidden between their lids,

13. Destroying sane minds. They deceive the chaste
So he goes while their captive, obsessed.

14. O Lord, a blamer whose severity
Wounded me, though I am lenient and the times miserly.

15. She said you have wasted wealth; do you have
Any compensation for it? I said, praise be to God, it is precious.

16. She said you are rich. I said enough; know
That the miser is the one deprived of what he owns.

17. She said surely poverty is disgrace. I said the noble one is not
Debased; only the despicable is disgraced.

18. She said wealth is surely man’s helper.
I said God is my helper.

19. She said excellent dirhams. I said earning
Thanks uplifts its owner and adorns him,

20. Wealth passes while praise endures,
Reviving man even when buried.

21. O you, what benefit did Pharaoh gain from his kingdom,
Or Korah from his wealth?

22. She said is there anyone to compensate your loss of riches?
I said the most Excellent Master provides.

23. A king whose generosity if seas emulated,
No ship would survive their currents, ever.

24. His generosity races his breath
With bounties, which know no rest.

25. He flooded the land seeking beneficiaries, as if
Entrusted with provision for all people.

26. Judge of judges - who can praise him thereafter?
Guide of preachers - to whom is obedience due?

27. He advised the caliphate wisely so it thanks him
For his wisdom that calms the earth while he is composed.

28. He steers its affairs with sound opinion
Be it with severity or gentleness.

29. Success does not elude his resolutions;
Rather he is a companion, brother, and aide to it.

30. It thanked him until birds in their nests
Trilled joyfully at his blessing.

31. In war and worship he has heroic stands
That adorned the world and strengthened faith.

32. By his hand the sword and the slender pen have deeds
That achieve purpose and confer boons.

33. The Imam saw him with the eye of truth,
Not blurred for him by doubts.

34. He saw him as the age’s insightful eyes
While people are bats around them, blind.

35. Had the two weighty ones gone astray, he would be guided
Or if the earth’s people betrayed, he is trustee.

36. So he cared for and protected him in all his affairs,
Sparing him what was and what will come.

37. If he becomes angry, it is his paradise, or speaks, his tongue,
Or is loyal, it is his right hand.

38. It suffices you that a caliph praises him,
One of the transmitters of his praise, like Gabriel.

39. You have become the caliphate’s sword, protecting
Its authority, which shines with your effort.

40. So boast, for you are its minister and advisor,
Its trustee and backer, its blessed pillar.

41. It planted you in abundant bounty, thriving,
So branches flourished for you at the summit.

42. It harvested from you mature experiences,
The finest perfumes when mentioned alone.

43. So it delighted in your feast of breaking fast and good fortune
Coupled with your existence.

44. Longing for your excellence anxiously stirred it
And it yearns for you and loves you.

45. This holiday was a personified being
Who congratulated you when it saw you clearly.

46. So greet it, welcoming and bidding farewell,
As your station in the heights is firmly established.

47. And the Victorious Commander entrusts you, provoking
Your envious enemies’ sorrow.