1. Is that the moon shining from below the clouds
Or is that a beautiful face behind the veil?

2. Nay, that is a beautiful face that appeared
From beneath her veil like a full moon

3. Alas! When she moans
She strikes our livers with arrows

4. How much love she gave me
How much she intoxicated me with the cup of passion

5. And I get jealous of her pillow
When she pulls the curtains over the balconies

6. And it is as if the taste of her mouth
Is rain water clashing with wine

7. She touched so I was abashed
The slender one amid her gestures with her body

8. Oh how I loved the day of farewell
A time we spent that was most sublime

9. We stood still complaining of the pain of love
As we stood on our feet

10. Complaining of the woes of separation
Nothing between us but tears speaking words

11. And tears wet my cheek from her
Like dew wet the petals of roses

12. When she saw me determined to depart
And I tightened the straps of my mount

13. And she was certain I would leave at dawn
After I bid her farewell in peace

14. She said, as departure drew near, for how long
Will you keep travelling rugged roads?

15. And for how long will you be absent from a homeland and
From family you ardently love?

16. Do you not see that the life of this world
Is nothing but useless dreams?

17. So I replied, though distance separates us
Due to divine decree and law

18. Do not dislike me traveling
To fulfill my purpose before my time is up

19. And be patient, do not anguish over me
Unity's ordainment perhaps decrees

20. Be patient, do not anguish
For longing itself is a kind of pain

21. I must be forbearing
Throughout my life and all the pains I've faced

22. I must entrust my fate
To the wisdom that granted inspiration to Abu Tammam

23. And present the rulers a gift from me
Stamped with gems of sublime thoughts

24. With the full moon, the radiant sun, the pouring rain, food and drink
The best of Arabs and non-Arabs came

25. A king before whom tyrants bow down prostrate
Humbly lowering their faces

26. Which had refused to show submission before
He ascended ranks elevated high

27. Their splendor atop Bahram's throne
A rain and lion in giving and valor

28. On a morn of generosity or crowd's morn
How he managed his kingdom

29. Ruling the lands with his pen
Oman now atop Egypt, Yemen

30. The land of Iraq and Syria through him
Maidens, pure maidens of loftiness

31. Became his wives without any shame
O noble valorous king, he who is owed

32. Gratitude for bounty by every hero
Listen, by our souls we ransom you, O joy of days

33. O pillar of Islam
It is no wonder or feat that

34. We sacrifice souls and bodies for you
Would that harm upon me be accepted

35. So my flesh be food and bones firewood
Thanks be to Allah at dawn for recovery

36. From disease and ill health
God is greatest! This day

37. Is the best we have seen of days
A day Allah has shown better to Him

38. Than a thousand months of a thousand years
Since I was absent, veiled, as if fate

39. Had been shrouded by darkness and gloom
Now I'm cured, dawn with a smiling face

40. As if people from joy in it
Have hung from life by a thread

41. Silent objects almost speak
Praising the All-Knowing One

42. Live on in blessing, honor, and happiness
Eternal joy