1. You were detained, and the days of kings are likewise,
Sometimes shackled, and other times set free.

2. The shadow of the earth veils its radiant sun,
Which at times sinks down, at others rises high.

3. A star's descent into the sunset does no harm
If it returns to dawn the eastern sky.

4. They did not hinder your striving steps' advance,
Though shackles limited the spread of your steps.

5. He whose only shoes yesterday were his bare soles
Will have fetters for his feet tomorrow at dawn.

6. You ruled in an unjust time and forced it
To be just when you took command, though it refused.

7. Fate bellowed in rage at the paths of its guile,
So it was gentle to you and picked you as confidant.

8. You bore what exhausted all other men
Who feared for the weakness of their necks your might.

9. The gusts of his wrath panicked the wolves of hatred.
It topples upon them, dealing blows and grappling.

10. They crept up stealthily and did their damage while he slept unaware,
So space grew confined for his rising and motion.

11. It deluded him to first employ prudence
Rather than guile, for the wolves were not there.

12. He walked barefoot over the armored coat of mail, scorning
What it had inflicted upon his soles of wounds and gashes.

13. For if its links turned back his claws, it had long
Given rest through checking bloodshed and preserving lives.

14. And it revealed in him, when poised to pounce, a spirit
That turns back rigid necks, breaking them.

15. Say to the foe: Taste it not as a dainty morsel.
Though it be sweet to the taste and pleasing to gnaw on.

16. Touch not its edge after trials, for it belongs
To the clan of Abdelraheem, those stalwart heroes.

17. They are the swift, piercing blades that, if an enemy
Turns fugitive before them, will hasten his bane.

18. Draw not lightly their swords from the scabbard,
When they have engraved gashes in your necks.

19. Deem not their provision exhausted though you drain their wealth,
For it brings perdition upon souls, nothing else.

20. The veins of their noble steeds are sometimes
Gaunt and at other times robust.

21. O you who bring good news, say to one unafraid:
When will you attain the Vizier's vision as a companion

22. And be allowed by the guards to speak openly,
Opening your mouth and keeping nothing hid?

23. Trust in Him who has tried it through expatriation.
How often were you in the like of this—yet it sufficed you!

24. Though this surpasses its sisters,
Entrust it to beautiful patience, your brother.

25. Think not the evil a blow of one who misses,
Though prolonged in this ordeal be your abidance.

26. The skin may err in the blow it receives treacherously,
And how often have your feet stumbled!

27. You will be cleansed of its defilements as you wrestle with it,
And its shame will not stick to you.

28. It is as though with fortune you rose up angry
And in it opposed you, then drove you back again.

29. Fermenting has but increased your subtlety and fragrance
And diffusion, as though imprisonment perfumed you.

30. And the arrow of vengeance has been entrusted
To you, fully feathered, that you may shoot whoever defied you.

31. He then would wish, if his covering were torn from him
And the perverting betrayer's staff were not your staff.

32. The Pillar of the Faith is excused for protecting you
From what he protected you from.

33. He has not ceased, alongside his leading you, to hurt you
When you bestowed favor, whether fulfilling your decree.

34. He increases your knowledge of men and discernment
And hatred of a folk, hostility and antipathy.

35. And he knows that in every circumstance
You remain a support for him in his reign and domain.

36. While by you, his affairs proceed evenly and excellently,
And by other than you, affairs of others proceed.

37. So turn with kindness to the customary loyalty of his covenant,
Though in this circumstance he was unkind to you.

38. And listen, even if you do not listen to my wailing,
And heed my warning, even if you do not lend your ears.

39. Far be it from you that any eulogy be devoid
Of your name or that pilgrims of praise be lacking your company.

40. That I do not see your visage rising in the breast
And the eyes of verse and hope perceiving you.

41. Far be it from you a day that is renewed
And a stance to which I rise, seeking any but you.