1. I guard my tongue though yearning still prevails,
And make my longings brief though grief assails,

2. Withholding from a folk my poetry’s rein—
Though the noble eye prevails in its domain.

3. The nights are blamed if wishes are denied,
Yet I blame men if wishes are defied.

4. I do not blame the days for people’s sins,
For suckling babes ere dirhams recompense.

5. House of Munificence, they are the sea of wealth,
Yet at calamities, they are a folk in stealth.

6. Had Bilal come to them with Muhammad in tow
He would return, with Bilal having nothing to show.

7. My friend, not everything dire is a miracle,
Not everything easy is attainable.

8. He who’s resigned to his incapacity for fate
Is no true brother of exigencies to sate.

9. In luxury and woe I tossed and turned.
Such are the ways of time—an endless spurned.

10. My forties scarred me with their bitterness,
And turned my hair’s raven to gray in remiss.

11. Would that the life I hope for after them
Be sweet living and blessedness to the brim;

12. That some may say “Does wealth fail you with might?”
When words for me suffice, not needing to fight.

13. Unaware that asking is in itself disgrace,
A shortcoming—for life is but a chase.

14. I refused none but Ibn Muḥassin’s boon.
The best gifts are those of beauty as opportune.

15. The Chief Minister, Pride of the State,
Is open-handed—an overflowing plate.

16. Ghauth’s nature, whenever I come a-begging,
Restores my life as fresh water welling.

17. Good tidings to visitors during hardships
Impregnate hopes once infertile and crisp.

18. Through him far goals come within reach,
Light burdens once so heavy and bleak.

19. Yet omens except what comes after are hollow.
Lo, the promise of clouds is only to follow.

20. When shall I await Ismāʿīl’s return to glory and riches?
He is but integrity and the perfect relishes.

21. A youth whose resolve triumphed like the swords
Prevailed over themountain of al-Saʿd’s hoards.

22. He is the moon that never wanes
Throughout the length of time that remains.

23. A people who warded harm from the pride of men—
Against them spears, but for them spears defend.

24. Their feats ever fixed in enviers' hearts as arrows,
Should they lunge with their perfect throws,

25. Or excel with their lofty highs, they smite their foes.
They are the Prophet’s comrades and his elite.

26. When counted, they are manifest brilliance and feat.
Shall I claim to have naught after this?

27. For your munificence suffices the destitute.
Whoever journeys to you for wealth

28. Fears no straying into misery or ill health.
The essence of creation cannot be obscured

29. When nature distinguishes them as demurred.
It favored some swords for their flashing light,

30. And favored some men for their deeds and might.
You were late to be praised, but not because

31. I wished to refrain. For the beloved is the cause.
My praise for you will never weary,

32. As true love’s relief after being leery.
With it, a man’s honor competes when sublime,

33. As the excellent blade competes in its shine.
I must have an eminent state through you

34. Wherefrom I seek respite from fate as it grew.
And a blessing, verdant, fresh bestowed by you,

35. Whereupon ease extends its shade anew.
Let no ignorant impugn your glory’s time—

36. For the magnificent have no defined clime.
The stars of night in the dusk’s goblet, hushed,

37. Though slow, are meteors in a flush.
Does the world rely on other than you?

38. Or glory aspire but to you as its due?
For is not glory empire for the magnanimous?

39. And people dependants for the bounteous?
When verses give you the tidings you keep,

40. Their realities suffice, message complete.