1. Who will lend me the most eloquent words
To describe his cheek of tender youth?

2. His dark tresses cascade down his brow
Like bunches of grapes hanging plump.

3. A mark of musk above his cheek appears
As though flung on a fiery flame’s ember.

4. His lips, rose-red, the roses do kiss,
Fearing his eyelash’s wrathful lash.

5. His neck does the branches shame in its curve,
While his nape the waves’ foam does perturb.

6. His branch-like arms in their double braid
And his mouth that splits in a dazzling blade.

7. At night he comes, his cloak hiding all,
While guards sleep, and watchmen rest their eyes.

8. I take him in, transports of love bless me,
As my heart complains, and rebukes subside.

9. I nurtured him, until he allowed me
All I wished, though he remains aloof.

10. Inclining toward me, then bending away
Lost in play and merriment uncouth.

11. He spends the nights indulging passions’ debt,
While I seek what is owed, but payment bides.

12. ’Till birds trill their song and stars in the west
Begin their dance, drunk with rapture’s tides.

13. Dawn rends the cloak of night thread by thread
While sun arrows hunt the meteors’ flight.

14. He rises to take his leave, tears downpouring
Like melted gold, a most piteous sight.

15. I bid him adieu, though dread knots his heart,
In his cloak of palm-leaves, garb of the ascetics.

16. So to the eminent son my missives went,
Of noble birth, in rank exalted.

17. Saeed bin Sultan, whom, of Arabs and Turks,
All proudly speak, for his virtues sans equal.

18. Benevolent, pious, his open hand rains gifts,
Quenching all thirsts, unlike clouds meager.

19. Valiant, he has a courage of old heroes,
His foes cower in baseness and disgrace.

20. A ruler whose sword brings down the wicked,
Vanquishing tyrants with clubs and mace.

21. Great men have told me this king is one
Whose great deeds through the ages ring clear.

22. Sword and steed sing of his battles,
While books confirm the truth most sincere.

23. I beseech God to keep him in blessings,
With goodness constantly flowing his way.