1. Oh imprisoned heart, tomorrow you shall be free
If the guide of the caravan says: March on!

2. Perhaps with their staffs the blind may see
A crescent, though veiled by darkness' pall

3. And if they take you, leaving me behind
March on with them - easy that would be

4. Cling to them, maybe they will show you grace
Or pity for a youth, or set you free

5. To whom a she-camel races heedlessly ahead
Not knowing if she journeys right or veers

6. Her driver threads the night, led by the light
That shines before him, banishing all fears

7. Why should a band led by the light of stars
Fear getting lost, when bright their lanterns glow

8. At parting, plaintive lovers' murmurs rise
For them - the sigh, for us - the tearful woe

9. Were you really here in flesh, or just in heart?
My eyes were fixed on you, although remote

10. Next dawn I say, your brow beams happily
You look on me with kindness, your lips smile

11. Not with a kiss of love, they said, and passed
Too soon for one whose thirst wine can assuage

12. You blushed, so lovely in your bashfulness
Old man, I said, the old should act their age

13. Oh friends, your reproaches torture me
He bowed to what was right, anger withdrew

14. My liver has cooled somewhat, as care abates
Did sadness kill me, or does joy live anew?

15. Do the days fear me? I seek refuge in
The pride of kingship - mighty fort are you

16. Let me be, craving salt once more to eat
After the pools have dried, thirst will ensue

17. My hopes have soared, though once my means were poor
Small things increase when destiny proves fair

18. Wonder not at my fertile plot of land
Since but a portion of the minister's share

19. Yet pledge it in my name, what I can't gain
When helpless, I seek aid to guide me through

20. Your coming proved God's signs are still intact
Faiths flourish and hearts open up anew

21. The sceptic's lingering doubt is now dispelled
That graves cannot unlock secrets they immure

22. The hopeless dead revived when you appeared
The blind recovered sight, no longer obscure

23. They then believed in Jesus and his signs
That birds were fashioned out of clay, and flew

24. That Moses cleaved the sea, that by your hands
The sea was cleft, and through it passage hewed

25. When all fell into heresy and sloth
Nations went astray, faith languished, rapture cooled

26. Those gone before rejoiced to see your day
When you would bring disordered times to rule

27. They followed Mohammed, best of messengers
Receive his guidance, as the prophets exhorted

28. I do not exaggerate your miracles
Only the thankless God's great gifts ignore

29. When names accord not with the natures of things
You are the truth, the rest are idols, nothing more

30. We saw them all as equals, worshipping
Their predecessor, though distinct, unique

31. Through you, kings gained ascendancy, for you
Granted them triumph when they sought your aid

32. You are the brilliant night illuming
The sisters, you the day when rainclouds poured

33. You guarded your greatest ward, and when
Most burdens pressed, their weight was still endured

34. One kingdom died, but you established another
For none can perish by your rod and staff

35. You took the caliphate, so it was fixed
On firmness, though so difficult the path

36. How few were true upon the day of pact
Throne and pulpit both obeyed your will

37. Wrongs relented being uttered in your presence
Grave assemblies softened in awe, were still

38. The poet Al-Fihr knew this when some growled
In jealousy at blessings you bestowed

39. He saw your guidance, so he paid you thanks
Though clear-eyed men may cloak envy they hold

40. Gave you the bride who once demurred, though now
Her bride-price burgeoned and they gained their goal

41. He spread the honour, fearing no reproach
From coward or bold king, but praised you full

42. With speech of your election and belief
Silent reflection weighed within the soul

43. His sword he handed you with his own hands
Long was its blade, by yours still put to shame

44. It was the Mansur's fortress, though no walls
Yet girded the city to vaunt his fame

45. After him, the Caliphs kept it as a prize
Comrade when they sat or rode out on patrol

46. Pulpits bow down before it, it adorns
Sedans and litters - strange sight to behold!

47. None could match it save you - but males find males
And each finds his counterpart and equal

48. Prince of Believers, he said, take it now
For you most merit this sublime regale

49. If only reason had consulted me
My sage advice had guided them aright

50. You wandered to no settled abode but one
That heroes shun, swift to take alarm in flight

51. Leave then the mansion of another's reign
For others its fresh milk, its riches your dower

52. The isle seduced us not at all, but you
Lured by their warbling, though it died in an hour

53. Think not we are mild if roused to righteous wrath
Keen the bright blade though sheathed, terror inspires

54. You left it for another's, however vast
How many a house the spade digs that the pick destroys

55. Sever a limb perforce to save oneself
Though hair clings to it, as the flesh entire

56. You heard the heralds of triumph, now hear me
I bear news, and in it am sage, not trite

57. I am the Lord who granted you gifts of grace
Though kindred eyed you with envy and spite

58. You dragged my arm to you by modesty
Soaring above my head, the eagles' flight

59. Treasures none could attain by wildest dream
Whether you hide or reveal them in light

60. You cooled my heart in seasons of despair
When its hearth-stone kindled to fury's height

61. Yet time has damaged them - renew again
The old kind acts, though lapsed from memory quite

62. The festival goes round like people's ways
But I've a way that stirs yet knows no blight

63. Some men honour names of high renown
Veils and curtains for them drawn aside

64. Poets say if they come, and we're not there
Those absent better than those present, bright

65. The departed echo what the departed said
Eloquence renews platitudes trite

66. Hearts are fulfilled, appeased and satisfied
Why match with you, O stoic in the fight?

67. With this wisdom, when antagonists clash
The dregs make off with treasures Jareer's indite