1. The wings of night and its darkness crept,
A flock of whiteness, their raiment pleats swept,

2. Stumbling in the train of gloom when it bends low,
Over them their outer garments flow.

3. And every secret its concealment kept,
Be it scent or bejeweled anklets that leapt,

4. We walked while the caravan, girt with down,
Were scared by the howl of the whining hound,

5. While we in the stony tract stayed our steps,
Where the departure of loved ones weeps,

6. So they said when discerning me by name
As faces were shrouded in sorrow and shame:

7. "What aspiration to glory possessed,
Fathers, your sires, conversant with glory's bequest?

8. His perseverance and patience kept pace
In his tent, aided by wisdom and grace,

9. He roams with a hand whose might none reproves,
To walk among them the jealous proves.

10. I wonder, shall I visit the preserve,
Or will the pack be scared by the swelling curve?"

11. The sun has hidden the lights of night,
And the bright planet is clouded from sight,

12. In a rebel darkness they wind and ride
To the fray, marked girths their courses guide.

13. Of every smooth-polished long-bladed lance
That bends in the onslaught, but holds its balance,

14. He wrests the rein of the winds, though slight,
By slackening them, or hastening their flight.

15. Each day the foe with clanging arms contrives,
His drinking bowls with blood imbued derives.

16. He charges wildly, dreaded for rending chain,
Ruin and harm from his onset restrain.

17. Among youths who drag the train of their spears,
Where the dangling queue of long hair appears,

18. Religion extends its glory through their worth,
Exalted exploits the noblest bring forth.

19. A splendid scion by his sire's repute bred,
To their lineage sublime the noble deed.

20. Though young the boy, yet ripe of age is he,
Elders round him for wisdom see.

21. Rule no weakling's burden upholds
Whom trials have not refined and made bold,

22. Whose youth fierce afflictions have put to proof,
Corrected, admonished, yet kind aloof.

23. No shower of generosity his ear distains,
In his munificence, no rebuke arraigns.

24. Of gentle airs, his doors are pathways trod,
With greeting he welcomes each visitor's nod.

25. Neither slighted suppliant nor stranger finds
Any roughness in him, or ungenerous minds.

26. His nature resembles the flower-filled plain.
The meadow's adorned and in blossom's reign.

27. He is a rain-bursting cloud, thus springs thrive
On the downpour of blessings that keep alive.

28. His glory rebuilds what destruction laid low,
Glory inherited and glory won now.

29. Gifts that oblige him men's wants to relieve,
The needy from him seek and solace receive.

30. A purpose whereby what he sought he attained,
The sword's edged assistance his triumph ordained.

31. No censuring censures the revel he gave,
No carping carps the winepots songs that he crave.

32. Yet what adversities fell have I seen!
But the sword, not injustice, my succor has been.

33. Estranged me from home did my wanderings wild,
The home of my childhood, beloved from a child.

34. My name over countries and regions now rings,
Unmarred by the exile my wandering brings.

35. To live in your shadow is sweetness of life,
Like the scent of pure honey drawn fresh from the hive.

36. No throbbing of heart is for home that I feel,
No tear down my cheek sorrow causes to steal.

37. How can one complain of the turns of the years,
Whose name on the days and the ages appears?

38. For you would one forfeit his fortune entire,
And honor, when plundered and prey to the fire.

39. The tenth of his property he does not hoard,
His liberality's fame is broadcast abroad.

40. He vilifies none, apprehensive of sin,
His praise scorns the falsehood smug liars toss in.

41. Vulgar mouths at the wealthy their ribaldry spit,
The miser's malign, the stingy they flit.

42. Why treat me with scorn, O my days, and defile
When the sword, not dishonor, is lightning my trial?

43. Ye sundered me out from my country, my woe,
The home of my birth that I yearn for, I know.

44. My name over regions and countries resounds,
Nor roaming estranged me from well-trodden grounds.

45. To live in your shadow is sweetness of life,
Like the scent of pure honey drawn fresh from the hive.

46. No throbbing of heart is for home that I feel,
No tear down my cheek sorrow causes to steal.

47. How can one complain of the turns of the years,
Whose name on the days and the ages appears?