1. For your life if I one day lean my need
on you, O Abu Sasan, aimless,

2. Neither one knowing the unseen wherefrom his harm comes
Nor one fearful spreading rumors tomorrow,

3. Would that death had circled me with its turns
That I asked not for grace from the ungiving.

4. If you were free, O Huthein son of Munthir,
You would have tended my needs and not hardened.

5. The fear of the clan frowned at me and flung me down
While you were short of arm, no conquest to your name.

6. Nor did you anymore possess the merit
Of such from baseness, O son of the craven worshiper of boughs.

7. Then name not this lofty man Solomon, confident,
You would find Majid generous, open-chested,

8. Bounteous to his familiars, pouring the cool water
And drinking it clear goodness freely flowing.

9. She like musk set free goes her fragrance
Dispels the sneezing and to hospitality calls with plenty.

10. And she leaves the cupbearer bending toward her, languishing
As though he swooned from sugar like the sinner.

11. She gleams like the cock's eye, its bubbles welling over
When mixed with water like the glowing coal's redness.

12. She then - if you shared drink with the Murthid -
Upon her a boon companion kept carousing honoredly,

13. Hiding you from misfortunes now and then reversing them
While the god hails you though unaware.

14. It was his custom never the Time beside them not know
And to bestow grace in hardship and release.

15. Truly Solomon son of Amr son of Murthad
Vowed to feather right hands and not pluck bare.

16. I grasped him spend his cool water and raise up heights
And warriors in war bite back and in peace, no cease,

17. Hold revels when night strode on till dawn spread clear.