1. I was delighted though no wine was poured for me,
Nor were flowers plucked for me by the noble hands.

2. Nor did I wander distraught to a deserted camp,
Where good tidings of reunion came to me from her.

3. Neither has the spring of youth returned to me,
Nor have the winds of youth come back to blow.

4. Ignorance has departed and awareness commands,
As the vicissitudes of fate keep turning.

5. Are you not the dignified, firm and judicious one,
When passions are agitated you remain patient?

6. You protected the glory of poetry from the love poems,
So there is no poetry except battle and flames.

7. You negated the harm of wine as if it were
The neighing of steeds or the cries of warriors.

8. The authority of love had rebelled after a nation,
And nothing remains but arousal and rebellion.

9. I said, “Hush! True joy is in glorious deeds,
Admired by past and present, far and near."

10. Whose noble deeds, when recounted, adorn
The hearing of the deaf, and are wondrous spheres?

11. His overflowing virtue restores as shining stars,
The pebbles of a valley that were withered and sere.

12. When joined to his strength, the sturdiest pillar
Was weakened, as were the past brave warriors.

13. So do not deny my intense trembling, for I
Deal with the exalted house and glory entire.

14. I examined this side in its prime,
And said, “The steeds are outstripped when he is the starter.”

15. He became a flier toward glory, none preceded him
When the noble hawk tightened its bindings fast.

16. His name is praiseworthy, his guests are noble
And his neighbor is his helper and assistant.

17. He gives to the needy even when destitute,
And pardons his enemies though able to punish.

18. Valiant like the sharp edge of a sword in a hero’s grip,
With it he brings esteem and makes the viewer joyous.

19. The necklaces of warriors were snapped by his blow,
And his blade and scabbard terrify even coats of mail.

20. As if Qutami, from a lofty summit—
His noble features in him embody encampments.

21. He shatters the idols of delusion as if
He were a penitent pilgrim casting stones.

22. Father of Ja'far whose sermons adorn the pilgrimage,
While people err, he guides them aright.

23. Minister of the Most High, his protection manifests,
His generosity concealed, though able to bestow.

24. When the gleaming blades fail to attain their purpose,
His opinions accommodate it, and the tombs lie peaceful.

25. He resembles a torrent in events and help—
Ibn Saeed’s palm and thoughts contain it.

26. No discourse remains undefeated by his reason,
No poverty remains unrelieved by his munificence.

27. He combines gentleness, valor—a conjunction
Impossible to attain—but Allah is Able.

28. The black lions flee from the heat of his might,
And the young gazelles gather to him in droves.

29. The lamp of night coils its cord,
So the twitterer of night slumbers while he remains awake.

30. When the feet bound with fetters walk gently
Isa led them, Israel, and the emigrants.

31. They folded the swords of calamity, every misfortune,
Its clamor, dread, and clash.

32. And their guide sang your praises after
The barren cleavers drew nearer to the path.

33. So every meager one hearing your name fattens,
And every gaunt one hearing your praise becomes corpulent.

34. Congratulations for the eloquent praise that remains
And the steps of the travelers that persist.

35. When I speak, the landmarks come to life
And my voice, when the censurers fall silent.

36. So listen only to my words and nothing else,
For after my poetry all rhyme is barren.

37. I am the knight famed for all merit—
I take risks on the battlefield and venture.

38. My virtue encompassed poetry and lent it a name,
So I became wronged when called a poet.

39. My passion was alleviated by the injustice—that I
Praised you while the panegyrists boast of your merit.