1. The cheek is a rose garden and the mole a sweet basil,
In both are fire and water, the two cheeks.

2. Since its lid appeared through the intoxicating wound,
I believe the eyelid is bewitching.

3. Shall I regain consciousness while its glances are watering us
And the cup smiles and the lips pour wine?

4. A gazelle appeared with cups of comfort in its hands,
From which lights shine on the universes.

5. And around it the boon-companions form a circle,
As if they are a halo around the full moon.

6. You see its beauty outshining the moon,
And with it many sights in love are blinded.

7. When its charms shine in the darkness,
How many moons disappear before the light of the sun?

8. If it shows like a bending myrtle branch,
Upon it the youths and virgins swoon.

9. I loved it while still a crescent-shaped child,
The dawn of beauty shone from its rise.

10. For it I shed my virginity and stood praising it
With a panegyric no books can contain today.

11. Where the glances strike with the sword of the wink,
For them, from its cheeks, the scorpions are helpers.

12. Where the figure with the bending sways pierces me,
And before that bend how many lives ended!

13. Where wine flows amidst pearls,
For it the tongue is a squeezer in the cup of the lips.

14. Where the charms marked above its cheek
The softness of chastity that dazzled all people.

15. Praise be to the brow like a crescent that appeared,
The full moon cannot shine with it.

16. And to the mole whose sweet fragrance is gained
Because a rose for it on the cheek settled.

17. It is as if it were a king of the Zanj sitting
Atop the throne of a cheek too splendid to house it.

18. From it wafts a scent, the breeze of its exhalation,
As the perfume spread from that line.

19. A line risen to the sky of honor,
And in the highest heaven the stars revolved around it.

20. It is audacious, mounting virtues in advance,
For it glories and racetracks are wide.

21. A sea you see surging with waves of generosity,
And the rain of its comfort pours forth.

22. A full moon whose rise is in the position of virtues,
For it the celestial constellations are picked.

23. It is the resolute one, in whom the times are untainted,
No remote disgrace has touched it.

24. It is the imam whose merits are proclaimed,
And books and pages fall short of collecting them.

25. It is the generous one who has made Hatim
Forgettable, no longer remembered today.

26. It is he who by his benevolence has made us his subjects,
And how many slaves and freemen have surrendered to him!

27. His only fault is his lavish independence,
To describe it is, no doubt, excessive.

28. O lion hunter and lion of war howling,
Through him the dew's discourse is corrected

29. And adorned by reports narrated about him.
Through him the great ones were honored after being debased,

30. As through him many lands and cities became glorious.
Thanks to him there is a system that has become wise,

31. Thoughts of the intelligent wander confused by it.
And the pearls of his current eloquence conclude

32. In prose and poetry strewn about.
O ultimate lotus tree, O Kaaba of virtue,

33. O garden of knowledge in which virtues are flowers.
O Ja'far of virtue, who brings Spring to life through him

34. And in whom the secrets of glory are stored.
O Ahmad, excellent in description and deed.

35. For him praises amongst people are chosen.
So take care of your flock, O God of the Throne, joyfully,

36. Minds and sights are confused by its beauty.
The listener passionately sways to it in ardour,

37. As if it were melodies and strings.
It came to you walking shyly in wonder,

38. At dawn, with screens of thought covering it.
Stretch out your palm to it and veil its shame generously,

39. For the likes of you are screens for shame.
And submit to the safety of God however you are sealed,

40. With the beautiful honesty of birdsong.