1. He spent his life yearning for union
And his lovesickness consumed him

2. If he had emptied his heart of passion’s agony
He would have been busy with the pleasures of youth

3. But the mention of his beloved stirred him
And he was destined to increase in longing

4. Though life is bitter, remembering you makes it sweet
For who finds life's bitterness sweet but the impassioned?

5. Your union is life and your separation perdition
Your nearness gives me pride and your distance humbles me

6. Though it is good to treasure affection, so beware
Lest you break your vow, not for me but for good repute

7. Passion robbed the lover's heart of patience
How can the heart remain steadfast in the abode of madness?

8. So my heart hesitates between longing and patience
Suspended between intimacy and estrangement

9. If life is through union with those we love
Then separation is a kind of death

10. Of what use is my reproach and advice against passion?
My reproach incites me and my advice gives no consolation

11. It was not I who was infatuated
Rather, it was my charmer who infatuated me

12. He is slender due to one whose waistband
Tied around a delicate and tender waist

13. If he tries to stand firmly he cannot
Except by leaning upon me

14. How can one who hides in the darkness of night
And bends like a branch over drifting sand

15. With languishing eyes not from sickness
But hale without illness, as kohl without stain

16. I bear witness that beauty is in his every trait
And magic is in his bewitching eyes

17. His glances are healing potions
For I found the passion of his eyes robs me of reason

18. May Allah water the palace of my composure
So he may fulfill his guarded promise

19. When I was serious I wore out my new cloak
And there is no life without a touch of frivolity

20. I sleep unaware, outdone by the noblest people
Generous souls, though the times have no ornament

21. And sincere, faithful friends
With hearts cleansed of any deceit

22. We study wisdom from the Surah of Passion
And understand the meaning of knowledge from the Form of Ignorance

23. And here I am, insulted in Damascus
Without any clothing or provision

24. Made ready for distance from all comfort
Deprived of pleasures, far from family

25. I have no companion to help
By lightening the heavy burden that weighs him down

26. I see the eye of misfortune as my wealth
When my coffers cannot fill it

27. I am gentle with my harshest enemies
And face difficulty with an easy nature

28. I flatter the ignoble hoping he
Will not harbor evil thoughts in his conscience

29. Nothing benefits from flattering my envious enemy
Except malice from the bond of kinship

30. One who seeks to reduce my merit by his deficiency
Only makes it cheaper so I may buy it back

31. Yet I am of the exalted ones whose fortune
Rises the lower it falls

32. What do I seek unjustly in the land of Damascus?
I have no she-camel there, or travel gear

33. I have a sanctuary where the noblest people
Defend me with good deeds and openhandedness

34. Excellence refused to be perfected there
Except by the perfection of religion, Abu Al-Fadl

35. Of ample hospitality, clouds and dew, lofty buildings
Dense shade, prominent landmarks

36. His outstanding character includes all people
Like rains that water every spot

37. When paths to generosity are obscured
He is generous in his efforts, making them clear

38. In times of drought, when his clouds rain bounty
The flowers of hope bloom in hearts

39. For him, public and private are equal in sublimity
His solitude fills one with awe like a crowd

40. A youth in years but the king has power
From the wisdom he draws from mature counsel

41. Some people's wealth is prone to generosity
While their honor is prone to stinginess

42. Our Imam illuminated the age seeking light
With his blessed, felicitous counsel

43. The good fortune rises from his opinions
And victory is stamped by his resolve

44. What garden is more melodious, with awe-inspiring soil
Adorned plots, and seasons so sweet

45. Its traits are pure, and its left side is also pure
Watered in the shade of the united group

46. The sighs of the gentle breeze restore it to health
Healing all its illness

47. The dawn breezes blow at dusk
On flowers dripping with dew

48. Its ponds smile from the corners of their eyes
And narcissi gaze with languid eyes

49. As if its ostriches convey to us
Greetings we read on the tongues of messengers

50. It suffuses the quarters of pleasure as if
Exchanging greetings gracefully on camel litters

51. Its pigeons circle above the branches
With melodious cooing amid the foliage

52. The leaves lament as if they grieve
Among the doves in mourning

53. Adorned with the blackness of bereavement
On their necks a collar remains like kohl

54. With your excellent character the flowers are delighted
Purer and more fragrant than my messengers

55. Toward you my message of praise travelled
Reverently, in gratitude and praise

56. Wandering the horizons, led to your door
Beyond all people, deprived of reason

57. Its meaning refined by me polishing its words
As the imprint of the seal is clear on the forged

58. If my poetry gains allure and beauty praising you
It is because prose is the bee, and poetry the honey

59. I bid you peace, but no safety meets you
Or your friends in multitude, or your eminent state

60. May you remain, and may your authority stay
A blight upon enemies, enduring forever

61. And may blessings rain upon all hopefuls
You remain as long as seeds and harvests and progeny