1. Poetry is not just passionate love and youthful folly,
That is hardly sufficient. It is wisdom and reflection!

2. For a while it drew me to beauties,
In the springtime of my life. Then, it weaned me off infatuation!

3. It extinguished the flame of my youth kindled by the morning glow,
And bid farewell to a heedless youth given to ignorance.

4. Now my verse sings of truth openly,
No longer stirred by passion or amorous overtures.

5. Look at me! I do not approve of verse that is coy,
Nor a thirst for the cup. For the cup overflows!

6. The charms of the lovely ones fail over time,
And one turns away from them... For they are withering roses.

7. I have elevated it so that poetry to me is sacred,
I do not approve if it aspires low.

8. Nor do I approve it humiliated and groveling,
Or malicious unleashing its sickles.

9. I carried it aloft to the stars, overcoming horizons
That look out on a universe in which truth prevails!

10. They look out with it on surging emotions and desires
Quench your thirst through a gentle chain from which you drink!

11. And revive an ardor that was thirsty for glory...
It found no relief or servility in it!

12. So I said, here is the abode for lofty aims,
For all that soothes and does not rationalize!

13. No muck or filth among them.
But fine silk... and lustrous pearls...

14. And a fragrant meadow...and a stream!
They wrapped my soul in warmth and it responded,

15. For they are great in what appears and what stirs beneath!
These are, in their generosity, Hatim and Antarah,

16. And this is Simawal!
And they said, "You have entered a welcoming land,

17. We have honored and been generous to those who came."
So my soul found peace with them...and my companions found peace,

18. For a generous company...and home embraced me!
I made my inspiration shine brightly with them...

19. My sides and left hand drew pride from them!
So if I were to soar I would not lie,

20. Or flatter one who lacks nobility!
Nor grovel in hypocrisy and overindulge

21. In what I have said...how vile the flattering supplicant!
Oh how wretched are those who make verse seductively sweet

22. To a pygmy whose armor is thorns and brambles!
Contemptible. It brings no shame or begging!

23. With it a group ascended to the stars and rejoiced,
While another plunged into darkness howling with it!

24. You are blessed to find glory and honor from it,
While the invalid and misguided found shame and disgrace!

25. I prostrated in gratitude to its dew and loftiness,
For I was not of those who opposed and were shaken!

26. Nor was I of those who blasphemed...and stumbled,
And none were deluded but the blind misguided!

27. And they were misled by cheap façades, so they went astray
Through barren wilds with no shelters!

28. For abundance is but machinery, containing no drink,
And glory but drought, containing no food!

29. Both ruin their master if he is not,
Submissive to his Lord, at peace and resigned!

30. But glory I seek...and wealth...
From You they are my glory and abundance, Most Sublime!

31. My soul disdains hastening to them...
And my contentment comes from what is deferred...ordained!

32. You are glorified, my Lord... For I look to them both...
You are the Most Generous, Most Hopeful!