1. I found you a secret in the heights though far
Seeking you at nightfall though dawn you tried to bar

2. When my wish was vehement, glad was I of its rage
My reason lost, news flown, perceptions marred

3. You stood by me while swords were unsheathed
And rained upon my land that was without a shower

4. And heeded well my words for one awake, aware
Keeping what the Merciful conferred in me of inner mystic power

5. Did some talebearer prattle, some mischief-making spy
Who turned for me the sweetest love to bitterest rancor?

6. You meant more to me than any lofty patron
Though he was generous, munificent, a lord

7. Melodies like wafts of musk, subtle, unrevealed
When the breeze was still, though ready to be outpour'd

8. Restoring to the coward his valor with your song
Making drinkers forget the wine through music's spell

9. Words smoother than all speech should you speak
Though warriors scorned you, boasting of their deeds as well

10. Ageless, eternal, remaining while others pass
We two as lions, while kingdoms rise and fall

11. Shall my power fade, my virtue fly away
Bound by the rightly-guided Caliph's mighty stall?

12. Mine to make verses sword and saying keen
Slaying for foes in time of peace or fearful war

13. Some who fled from me self-rejecting died thereby
While good of faith flourished, on my creed secure

14. And the rest followed Ibn Kawzan, who refused
To water his domain except with rainfall pure

15. I pardoned the sharp thorns of Qatad, wanting not
A life of ease in Baghdad, though it offered lure

16. When needs constrained me from my course to swerve
I turned to praise the wine-sippers in pleasant verse

17. So my cloak now is worn by a helpless one
While a nursing lamb bears the weight of my dress

18. Since he refused to follow the course I set
He gained no pride thereby, no reward, no recompense

19. What constrained me was a minister revered
Warning the Sultan against rash deeds of reckless moods

20. A gift, so they say, is narrowed in acceptance
If base coin is proffered stealthily in pretense

21. I made no remark, though I could if I wished
Have lauded my worth, drawing you to my defense

22. Were you not the one who plunged into the murk
Where my hounds attacked, till they seized the prey immoral?

23. Silence from you would have sufficed, had you wished
Without my talk or poems, valueless, trivial

24. Though after permission the flow was blocked
No fear had he of my eloquence orfine expressive style

25. Ibn Kawzan persisted though his obstinacy
Led him to ruin, disgrace, and destruction vile

26. No reversal came though the minister forbade
None dared oppose his authoritative words and guile

27. I proceeded as God had allotted me
Dragging a train born of shame and poverty

28. No narrowness felt I though free to roam
No paths were closed to me over land or sea