1. For Khawla is a symbol of modesty and chastity
Her songs are an empty wilderness with no joy

2. Signs of nobility and glory have passed from her
Though Friday comes after her, and Thursday

3. In the first light of dawn love awoke in her
Following passion though ways twist and wind

4. We stopped, the morning mists had melted away
Leaving hearts grieving over our parting

5. My eyes overflow with tears of sorrow
While between my ribs grief and pain seethe

6. The fires of love and passion flame in my chest
Of which my heart is the wick aflame, blazing

7. Her beauty, when she came smiling
Swaying gently in the north wind’s chill

8. I marveled, seeing her created as she is
A gazelle, though for her the lion waits, hungry

9. A sun, though when she rises radiant
The stars and suns are shamed and vanish

10. Before I saw her, I never saw a sun whose dawn
Was so bright, driving away gloom and darkness

11. On her lips, wine, well-aged wine
And a pearl telling of pearls of great price

12. You see her gentle in her gentleness, though her
Love of union makes her brilliant as the sun

13. I breathed in her breaths, and when for her
I sought union, passion stirred in my soul

14. She turned away, and ignited in my love-sick heart
Fires that flare beneath my ribs and sting

15. How can I hope for union with her, when she
Is unreachable, guarded well, watched always?

16. Oh you who complain of the misery of time
In hardship is harm for men, and shame

17. Seek from Thursday favors, though its generosity
Is only on Thursday nights, mean and lacking

18. Ask from him bounty, for the wisdom of his palm’s rain
Overcomes the rulings of his deputies, contrary

19. A youth whose gifts to guests display his virtues
To all who meet him, of noble giving

20. A youth who excels all people in speech and company
And who excels them in merit, not sullen

21. A youth whose face shows joy to guests
Cheer and good news, though the times are gloomy

22. He built a nobility in the house of Duhmosh, its sun
Outshining the lights of the proudest stars

23. When he appears at councils, necks bow down
Obediently to him, and heads

24. If his pens decree harm or benefit for people
For them appear symbols of help or harm

25. His coat of mail has panels from excess steel
One who saw the weapons of warriors would despair

26. His fortune dawns auspiciously; through it dawns
Fortune, while misfortune inclines to the west

27. Through his merit, the world is adorned
As if with beauty, a cloak’s rich brocade, a bride

28. I have clung to him until I have become great in the world
As if to all people I was lord, chief

29. In sitting with him my station and honor increased
As if I were Ka’b ibn Zuhayr, boon companion

30. Without you two, intellect welcomes your light
As your rising illuminates the face of time

31. Through your merit you have wished us well
Not stingily like a miser, but generously

32. You are the most glorious, most lauded, most noble prince
To whom the world bows down, tumultuous

33. If some pretender claims what I have attained
Jews have wished for their success, and Magians

34. You remain guarded, crowned with glory
Lording over the wilds, conquering utterly