1. Alas! Did the chirping warbler sadden you
When the abode was empty of beloved habitants?

2. And after the doves appeared and bid farewell,
Did their imprint, lesson, and nest sadden you -

3. As the bending branch of acacia bends
When caressed by youth like the bending branch?

4. The youth make it sway when they rise,
And burden it when they sit back down;

5. By God, we paused when she bid farewell
A farewell that misguides and rightly guides.

6. I stirred at night from the embers of passion,
A kindled glowing coal within my thoughts.

7. I saw her soft cheeks, wrists,
A Yemeni grin, and rosy cheeks.

8. We stood on our feet, our sighs of passion
Rising from our breaths and ascending.

9. Silent, no words but overflowing tears
Speaking of our love and testifying.

10. So plant goodness and you will reap praise
Its planting reaps fruits and harvests rewards.

11. Be patient with kin and strangers too
As each brother of patience is praised for his patience.

12. Be not gloomy if you live envied among them
For the virtuous are envied among all people.

13. Take it easy when ease comes your way,
Your grace hoped for, your days prosperous.

14. I know the nights as they know
That my knowledge of them is unmatched.

15. I courted them until they bent and swayed
My courtship brought them misfortune and joy.

16. How many times I accompanied time in its prime,
Approaching in the bloom of youth.

17. And accompanied it after when it grew old,
Its look away from the path of truth dimmed.

18. I am not pleased with a time whose kings,
When needed most, are paralyzed hands.

19. You see them gain fame for lacking wisdom,
Taking lightly truth and drowning in vanity.

20. The most wretched of God’s creation is a liar
Who reveals a secret but does not reveal what benefits.

21. The most wretched of God’s creation is one granted wealth and ease
Who does not extend his hand and give generously.

22. To you, Solomon, I openly complain
To renew your satisfaction and confirmation.

23. My detention and waiting have been so long, yet
None of your promised gifts have come my way.

24. Three months have passed for me in longing,
Yet no promise has been fulfilled my lord.

25. I know not if this delaying distances me,
For who among people draws near and distances like you?

26. If this delay's consequence is attainment,
Then miserable is attainment mixed with hesitation.

27. If this delaying is meant to distance me,
Then who among people draws near and distances like you?

28. Do you not see that time points its blame at me
While the sword of events is unsheathed?

29. Are you pleased that I wander to Damascus or
Khorasan, wavering in attaining riches?

30. Indeed, for the House of Nuhan I am a poet
Whose praises penetrate deep and take root.

31. Alas my heartache, the clapping of my hands,
For a past time in which I had a spring.

32. A time when possessions seek what I
Recite in my compositions and chant.

33. Your father, Habani, I praised with gifts
As I composed the praise which does not fade.

34. And your uncles spread my wings with their swords
So my praises of them in time remain immortal.

35. I did not know that after them this time
Would embitter my life, diverting its course and saddening.

36. I did not know I would see distance after them
Embitter the sweetness of life and sadden.

37. I do not flatter rulers with my poetry
Though they be great or mighty, harsh and hot-headed.

38. I did not know I would disappoint or see
My poetry wares stagnant with your likeness.

39. My poetry will favor every refined soul,
And be forbidden among people, prolonged malice.