1. The longing cried out, pleading for help,
If only the loyal could bring relief!

2. The moments paused to rest for an hour,
If only the hasty would stop to reflect!

3. They marched on as the darkness of separation confused them,
Until there was no difference between guide and led astray.

4. Your eyes, glance at me - never again will I see their like!
If the skies deny it, your eyes remain witness supreme.

5. In the family you are ships, glorying in ornament,
While others envy like bare and empty shells.

6. Throw off your veil before you see more,
Lest sorrows multiply and affection depart.

7. O home! Today you are not as you were;
Parting and discord have come between us.

8. The branches that were green and flowering
Lie broken above you, prey to decay.

9. The morning breeze has changed its ways,
Its tenderness forgotten, now but raging storms.

10. You were a garden we tended and watered,
Now a rubble-heap where beasts stomp and trample.

11. Your honour suffered violence and was trampled underfoot
By the brutality of the usurping conqueror's horse.

12. To live in you has become like drinking poison -
Each day a new colour, every colour bitter.

13. Where once was heard only joy and laughter,
Now the place echoes only with sobbing grief.

14. If your people went away, still the ruins welcome guests,
And if your water runs low, the clouds will rain down plenty.

15. Today you have become a place of tears, though the generous weep,
And the ceaseless weeper stops to rest.

16. In you vows were fulfilled - if only vows could be broken!
Fate's arrows target me, and I their helpless prey.

17. The days have not treated me unjustly -
They shoot true arrows, and I the open target.

18. Shall I complain of the ugly dye of betrayal?
I who have seen the like a thousand times before!

19. The ropes of time have scarred my side,
Branding their marks, binding me fast.

20. Its disasters overwhelmed me, clawing and tearing,
Wounds on wounds, without mercy or restraint.

21. I exposed them and hardened myself, since gentleness
And kind entreaty were useless against them.

22. I turned against them the sword of my defiance,
Though striking in vain, and unhealed the pain remained.

23. Time wears away all things, appearances shifting,
Manhood fades, qualities alter and decay.

24. I lay oppressed but not in weakness submitting,
Embracing sleep though it grants no comfort.

25. I bought injustice cheaply, then it became dear,
Equity impossible, justice denied.

26. Hearts I drew close have now deserted me,
Reins once controlled now snap from my hands.

27. I blamed the cruelty that dyed them faithless,
Though faultless they seemed, and of purest repute.

28. The leader of faith, I feared to lose by my hand,
Hoping in vain he would prove true and just.

29. I thought to avoid sullying his reputation,
Else I'd have said, "His mantle is but patched and threadbare."

30. To him crept spies, false informers,
Base motives cloaked in guise of good intent.

31. Without inquiry into truth, he rushed to condemn me -
Though none verified the claims, all repeated the slander.

32. He scorned to hear my defense, though you, my champion,
Noble knight, would have brought me justice.

33. Hear the calumny of the vile informer - does it not turn your sword
To defend my name when the ancestors would have slain him?

34. Show me your gracious pardon, heal these wounds,
That pierce to my heart - your balm will soothe the pain.

35. Though the burden weigh heavy, yet I must ask:
Not all my needs can be met by one as perfect as you.

36. You know, when passion drives headlong, I exceed all bounds,
Unless your gentle wisdom guides me aright.

37. From you I learned the noble way; I can only
Strive to match your virtue, follow your example.

38. From you I drew the pride of glory; my sufficiency
Is to need no more than you supply.

39. O you, whose praise the eloquent cannot compass,
Whose worth the poets and orators fail to tell!

40. You who gathered the fruits of souls when drought desiccated all,
When skies were darkest, and hearts most parched.

41. When the worthy spoke of your noble qualities,
Learning and striving to emulate your virtues,

42. When pens leapt forth from their cases,
Swords flashing in verse more keen than steel.

43. Canes whose thrust none can parry -
Not valiant warriors, nor fierce attacking knights.

44. The great seek your patronage when left behind;
Lost and defeated, fearing the worst.

45. The full moon in shame at your brilliance
Complains that its portion is but half - while your light never wanes.

46. The rain is content with the drops that fall from your hand,
Though clouds of your bounty remain still.

47. By your wisdom the world found its proper measure;
Base and noble each took their ordained place.

48. Every virtue by you regained its balance,
Fates weighed equal, justice restored.

49. You are the sons of the ancient kings, their people yours,
Others but neighbours bound in pact.

50. Your birth brought goodness to the world, your nature
Grace and favour from the Creator unto us.

51. A hearing - else your listening ear had not given us
Gentle correction in place of punishment.

52. O noble rhymes, sprung from a noble line,
Without you the letter Qaf1 would not come to be!

53. Had you not moved them, given them life,
They would neither venture forth nor sway with emotion.

54. Then give them a feast this day of celebration,
A wedding - joy multiplies on joy!

55. Grace all who come with utmost delight, and grant me a share
Of your plentiful generosity, your guests are we.

56. A delight ever renewed, whose past is prelude
To future days, and whose gifts ever grow.

57. Lofty hospitality, overflowing cups,
Gardens of profuse blooms, pavilions of luxury.

58. 1 Qaf is the first letter in the honored one's name.