1. Is it Auga and Salma, or the country of Zaab,
Or Abu Al-Muhandid, or Ghaznafar who disappeared?

2. The sons of Zuheir raised the minaret on high,
With the knight, the generous, prodigal donor.

3. With the whiteness of Passam's fingers, as though they were
Clusters of clouds at every honored assembly.

4. With the Preventer, the Generous, who does not refuse
To be benevolent and honor his companions.

5. His transcendent virtues spread, and his praise
Ascended, so praise and grace belong to the Most High.

6. And it flows in the morning like a torrent, flooding a
Vast valley, as the narrow mountain paths shine.

7. Depart, my dear home, for the memory of you
Has faded since the Indian passed with his mounts.

8. The dust clouds cleared, revealing your glory, O knight
Honored in both the present and future days.

9. You were the steed in times of good fortune,
And he is the steed in times of hardship.

10. And when the arid desert closed in around us
On a day of turmoil with hordes of warring tribes—

11. Eyes rained tears as though they were, in the battlefield,
Wolves gnawing at the slain under the warriors—

12. Thirsty for the blood of wounds that seemed to flow
Like the deceptive mirage of a shimmering brook—

13. Winding the turbans of death while they, still untamed,
Sought to feast on skulls and necks—

14. Today your glittering sun rises
While yesterday's sun sinks away without glory—

15. Over your coats of mail are locks of fresh perfume
While yesterday's sun leaves only its veil—

16. You met Fakhr al-Din, who lifts aside its cover,
As the rising sun unveils the faded mist,

17. Scornful of piercing chests, his own thrust
Pierces the pupil of the arrogant despot.

18. A destroyer who plunges into the fray, yet gentle
To captives, sheathing his sword, leaving them unharmed.

19. In war he is hard as granite,
But relaxed as a cloak when his blade rests.

20. A breach when kings are stingy with bounty,
Yet freely gives his noble steeds.

21. His steeds amidst the blackened armies
Are Thursday's full moons shining in the gloom.

22. Recognized by their beauty, not their brands,
For he gave them no marks but his seal.

23. O Abu Al-Muhandid, though the call is to Asma'i,
It is a lament, like the bite of a cutting sword.

24. You knew me to be too proud
To beg from any that would come and go.

25. I scorn to gain wealth by degradation,
Honor is my choicer food and drink.

26. And I see praising one undeserving as disgrace,
Its shame enduring through the ages.

27. Long have I held back my necklaces of verse and hid them,
Lest I shame them by bestowing them as gifts and rewards.

28. But need drove me to him whose praise
Is a glory free of any blemish.