1. I have risen above praising men, though need
Has led me back to flattery I must heed.

2. When one returned in kindness from Khorasan,
I strained to praise though flattery gives me no meed.

3. My words in praise of patrons I restrain
Though fortune smile or gains they intercede.

4. No praise but boasting of the noble kind,
No poet but the veiled imam I need.

5. They said, “Ungenerous, you blame the days and shun
All suitors.” I replied, “My nature takes no heed

6. Of fading fortune. Melancholy is my way.
Why spread my blame or praise as others plead?

7. Let days pass by. True glory stirs my wrath.”
Honor came to me from Sanjar and freed

8. Me from the mighty and the pretenders’ ilk.
My eloquence I led no more to lead

9. Praise to the undeserving. Bright Isfahan
Shone with his bounty, goodness was his creed.

10. For love, not gain, I sang his generous heart.
Not for the dew would I false witness breed.

11. No tower of faith as he when needs arise,
No flood of bounty in hard times to cede.

12. When heroes fail, he leads the embattled ranks
A roaring lion no faint heart can heed.

13. He strains for praise, seeing all else as naught.
How many a hand stretched out in time of need

14. Has poured its open generosity on me
While the cheap man of means chose not to heed.

15. I thanked, and ever his munificence
Poured forth new bounty upon my poor reed.

16. His nature has no peer, no vintage wine
Can match his essence, pure and finely bred.

17. This, Ali's son, a daring supplicant
Who braves the coward's blame, asks as his meed,

18. Who values your affection more than swords
Of Indian steel, more splendid and more dread,

19. Who knows no qualm, doubting your noble heart
Save that your gifts surpass all gifts indeed.