1. He who had a lofty goal to attain
rode the night and girded his resolve,

2. fleeing injustice, running to gain
a night raid, to wash away his shame.

3. He took the dim star for his guide
and the dark night as his cloak.

4. When frightened by an enemy’s cries,
he found solace in grasping his sword.

5. My cheeks denied two colors—
pale white and tan brown skin.

6. So wonder how my cheeks were marked
by arrows, while my face took their sting.

7. Would that the white had marked my face
with the force it marked my wrap!

8. Many a white-robed night of joy
was cheered by a night of pressing gloom.

9. The world undid me, but not age,
for one with a proud heart bears his body’s decay.

10. Cares divided in a split epoch
whose nature lacks equitable division.

11. Disasters followed in quick succession;
were they to shroud the crescent, we'd see no fullness.

12. Each day worldly needs lead me
and worries contend with me in pressing.

13. My hands seek to grasp glory,
but my head refuses the rope of duty.

14. Had I obeyed chastity,
this rabble would not have soiled me.

15. Had I thanked the Bestower for his gift,
God’s bounty would have sufficed me.

16. May God grant the virtuous sons of the highborn
goodness, if a youth has disappointed his mother!

17. And may the sun of beauty shine
with its light to dispel every gloom.

18. May glory water the branch of Isma’il
lengthening and perfecting it.

19. With generosity and loyalty a father
resembled his father and uncle.

20. He observed excellence, true to his vow—
no treachery or blame was found in him.

21. An easy man, when you mention bounty,
he inclines his ear, leaving you his understanding.

22. When asked, he thinks it a musk pouch
of perfume or a musical tune.

23. Pure of nature, moderate in manners,
bountiful, sweet of speech.

24. If I tried to extract his era’s virtues,
I'd press out the water of generosity.

25. Of men who grew up as kings of the horizon
and trod the sun of glory and its stars,

26. Who sped on their quest for fortune,
the meteors of Time, its steps and tail,

27. Open-handed, never stingy
of months of ease or cramped quarters.

28. Brave in bounty, if emulated
in honorable deeds, they were imams.

29. When the war cry rose they gathered,
filling the space with warriors and boys.

30. Each a piercing sword as if
his palm held his death grip in battle.

31. Guarding the exposed flank when
a gap was breached in important affairs.

32. He makes pacts reverently. If a truce
were breached, he’d revoke his own.

33. In the dark he's content with his eyes’ flames.
His sword suffices when he wields his name.

34. When women screamed, a perfect mother
wrapped herself to hide from him.

35. They walked the path of gentle words
and let their glory’s dishevelment be.

36. If, after a death, you neglect
no verse for him and mourn no grave,

37. Then the four corners of Time will fail
to keep his memory, protect his trace.

38. He died jesting at blame and villains,
until miserliness fattened his wealth.

39. He wished for the robes of your pride
bare, and barren his body of hair.

40. Your eyes saw the roads of endeavor
while he was blind to their narrowness.

41. You traced lineage while he contended
with intricate, branching family trees.

42. I'm the one who tied passion for you
and love with a rope no betrayal can sever.

43. Your generous hands captivated me,
so I was generous; your abounding gifts.

44. For me the flavors of your nature were sweet,
and how many friends have I tasted bland!

45. With you I tamed Time, which after
calmness, I fought.

46. I knew I had a champion to defend me
against each foe’s breast.

47. You've held every place in my heart
until you ruled its entirety.

48. Pure, pure of fraud—no doubt
remained, no blame penetrated.

49. Except that estrangement hid in him
a giver whose meaning corrupts his name.

50. Whenever I say: “Be just in intimacy,”
estrangement decrees its sentence on the heart.

51. So the realms of passion are protected haunts
while the realm of communion has a breach.

52. Rhymes are clouds, so won't you let
mercy rain in their abodes?

53. Every creased forehead, spare body—
who made permissible to violate that sanctity?

54. When will they cloak themselves from the disgrace
not worn by echoed sound or pressing gloom?

55. A sword is but a tool, and eye paint
casts beauty on it, gives it a mark.

56. My Lord of perfect beauty,
a glow increaseth in his shirt and turban.

57. Take from the feast soft of mind and<br>
of the Nairouz a fateful arrow as your fortune’s share.

58. Drape yourself in the raiment of fortune
that trails its train or sleeves.

59. Whenever a miss of yours went astray,
the registers of Fate guaranteed its payment.

60. For you have surpassed the utmost praise,
so that praising you borders on blame.