1. A heart burning on the embers of parting
And tears from eyelids pouring and dripping

2. The beloveds departed at dawn, so the ruins'
Courtyards became desolate and devoid of play

3. Every group marched away into the distance
With shyness floating in their drinks and settling

4. On the day of their leaving sorrow draped itself
Upon their footsteps' traces, yearning and playing

5. Who can unite me with the dear one after
The ships have attained her amidst the seas swelling

6. From her love is sustenance in meals so sweet
And in drinks is a most delicious, pure imbibing

7. When she smiles, a pearl appears in her mouth
Save that it cannot be pierced or carved open

8. Her allure makes you hallucinate when seen
Embroidered, colourful, ornamented, clasped tight

9. Her cheek is rose-red, gentle, bright
Her waist is slender like a willow, white, bending

10. I kissed the scorpion on her cheek, as though
It had stung my heart with its venomous striking

11. And tasted a subtle kiss from her, sweeter
Than finest honey, more delicious and gratifying

12. Her swaying, supple, smooth body made me
Amongst its undulations helplessly stumbling

13. I conversed with her from afar, nothing else
Except afterwards there was more conversing

14. A lonely lover, praising, reproaching her
Whose coquetry is sincere, it does not lie

15. A kindly king whose shining face bestows
Joy to hearts and draws them closer, grabbing

16. His fingers distribute gifts as the wrists of
A devoted slave girl gently swinging and pouring

17. He overcomes whatever the days require
Except when he is already the victorious one

18. Like rain unleashing lightning and thunder
Now the land blooms, now it withers, dying

19. Like a lion guarding its cub, now grabbing
At the hunter’s robe with its claws violently stabbing

20. Like a flood that gives life to places
And overflows the plains, watering, irrigating

21. Like a flood that gives life to places
Now and destroys others, ravaging, devastating

22. Like the sea casting forth pearls and gems
Yet feared by men when it rages, frothing, foaming

23. O best of those who depart, their luggage tied
On saddled camels, marching on, advancing

24. Through you Islam shone and guidance gleamed
And ignorance’s darkness vanished, retreating

25. So glory to the fortress you conquered
To whom glory now belongs, attributed

26. A fortress whose towers pierce the heavens
Nearly touching the stars, ascending, climbing

27. If armies strove to conquer it
None could take it, no procession arriving

28. You captured it with ties and connections
Its pages stained with the blood of horsemen, knights

29. And inscribed verses in the sky’s face
Which the literate and illiterate recite

30. The sword and calligraphy accompany them
One dots them, the other makes them Arabic

31. And you prolonged the war to conquer it
Till the land quaked from its dreadful fighting

32. Until you were victorious and conquered what
Was difficult to attain, arduous, laborious

33. So praise to the Merciful - the watering place of hope
Is no longer turbid, and wishes do not disappoint