1. I composed poetry while the dove cooed, so they responded in rhyme
I would not have composed had the dove not sung its tune

2. I reminisce about an era with the starling long gone
As a cloud's shadow for youth poured down and dispersed

3. I know not why I weep - did a picture of youth fade
Or a summer from Suleima and Marib pass away?

4. Parting from loved ones hurts me, though youth against their will bade them farewell
I never enjoyed a night's rest as much as that night

5. Nor a morning more tender than that dawn's emergence
That era was but a day and a night, the most blissful life of shade and meadow

6. Time passes without revisiting eras of beauty
That would adorn the pebbles of the heart, were they to crack

7. I turned away from it, not by choice, and perhaps
I ached due to prolonged indecision and deception

8. Who will cool me with a gentle breeze when the heats of summer scorch me
And provide me with the mornings of al-Khazzam from the meadows of Lu'lu'?

9. That era has passed, leaving just memories
That cause me pain as I ride my camel

10. My heart was frigid, though we were united,
but no sooner did it disperse than it boiled and overflowed with tears

11. My robes dripped copious tears I attempt to hide
With my fingers, though I pretend and fake

12. My eyes in the darkness are like kohl -
they refuse to settle next to my side as I lay down to rest

13. I take pride that I see the morn pure white
With eyes that see the land of youth as a panorama

14. As though I had not gone out for fun that night
And drunk Babylonian wine that sparkles

15. As though I had not gathered in the shade sharing poetry
And singing for the chirping and water of the meadow

16. As though I had not cast my hopes on the grey Sa'ib antelope,
the white Bassam gazelle and the brown bald antelope

17. And the piebald steed with a long flowing mane, tall in stature, whom I led
The Yemeni lightning bolted one evening

18. So the lightning lagged behind it, too weak and too swift
As though it were an ash-colored cloud beneath which

19. lightning crept out and cracked
The enemies thought it enough to drive it away

20. As a croaking raven that cries out at dawn
As though it wore on its shoulders a garment of pitch darkness

21. that the dawn had patched up
I raced it through a turbulent sea

22. and approached the mother of tremors - tottering and shaking
It rings from ear to ear, yearning for a scream

23. from a caller or onlooker
As though it had for a spear's action a guide

24. and for the clamor of tongues, a listener
I calmed it by singing poems to the saddlebows

25. and stroking its flanks, so it listened
But when the Emir's name was mentioned, it scorned him

26. so it lowered its whinny's tune and raised it
Yearning for the most generous king, repeating

27. and lamenting the noble journey
So in its love for Ibrahim, it whinnied in Arabic

28. And in assisting Ibrahim, it pawed the ground loyally
A sovereign whom glory boasts of, a gilded crown

29. that glory itself regards as a bejeweled crown
With it I traversed the most verdant meadows, the most aromatic spices, the lushest meadows

30. Sometimes generosity's sea flooded in its domains and surged
Its rain clouds poured down heavily, sufficient for you

31. that it only rained on a barren land, so it flourished
Thus I have heard much praise of its sublime traits

32. though the bird of good tidings is no fairer listener
So, faultfinder, the lightning you blamed flashed weakly

33. and rumbled with thunder over Najd, so aroused hope
When the cloud of your disapproval parts

34. and the lightning of prosperity illuminates you, then pasture
For Abu Ishaaq's land is the most fertile meadow,

35. the most fragrant grove of shade, the sweetest meadow
It suffices you that the tribe despaired of it

36. so he restored what it had lost
Guidance in him returned through the most glorious Ahmad

37. Of enduring fame, sword blades the brightest and keenest
He rendered the Salib idol an object of generosity

38. And the Matruur doe inviolate, showing no hesitation
When creeping he is stealthier than a deceitful mirage

39. More accurate in aim than a meteoric shooting star
The sword in battle is no fairer than when the palm

40. unsheathes it behind shields, glowing radiantly
The voice of caution and dew called him by name

41. so he obediently rose to the prime of youth, fervent and passionate
He sprang like a leaping blade, valiantly

42. And raced like a roaring torrent, spontaneously
You cannot distinguish between them, which more

43. eloquently speaks - the noble and distinguished orator
He erected virtues and built

44. raising them to the Lord Most High
He lowered the voice and sound of the stubborn rebel

45. and shook the pillar of the disobedient one, toppling it
Chieftains surrendered power to him deferentially,

46. humbling what had been arrogant and haughty
His character made every well-mannered person docile

47. until the defiant became submissive
Who will convey to me that I attained through him

48. whatever I wished to enjoy?
I composed his praise and attained an elevated perspective

49. until I reached the pinnacle and the highest place
Does any desire remain for the soul except to gaze

50. upon the Supreme Pen as it signs its decree?
Neither the rising moon in its most beautiful phase

51. nor the pouring rain at its most generous
You were blessed with a feast that received you upon arrival

52. It would not have occurred had you not risen
It is enough of a gift that it shaded you when you came

53. It only needs you to speak for it to hear
A breeze from the branch of a sublime palm tree greeted you -

54. like the breaths of maidens, it was gentle and pure
It plays with the train of the canopy and wipes

55. tears from the trail of the clouds