1. Arise, and listen, O maiden, and contemplate,
How the branches swayed to the nightingale's song,

2. And the birds in discourse and trilling,
The water rippling and cascading along.

3. On the riverbank, many a doe has halted,
Of fawn-eyed and gazelle-eyed lovers,

4. Dotingly pampered and languidly melting,
Far apart - the pampered and the melting!

5. Pleasant life danced in rhythm to its beauty,
From its Babylonian robes to its anklets' tinkle.

6. Spring has embroidered its meadows, so it seems
An Abyssinian girl gaudily bejeweled.

7. Who will join me in Jur'an's valley, where once,
On a starry night, boon friends kept me company?

8. For Ibn Thabit in Hasha I built a house,
Fairer than dawn or the evening star it be.

9. Blessings on the band I caroused with one day
In Jalliq, in days of yore!

10. Tenuf, whose palms I kept tapping,
To the camel driver's chant at eve they bore.

11. Until I told the tale of Nuwa's misfortune
To Mu'ayyad al-Din, the minister Abu 'Ali.

12. A speaker of truth against his foes -
His flashing blade is never blunted.

13. In his fortress, a raincloud; above his steed
A lion, pouncing on the meadows roaming free.

14. Before the dew, smiling to his companions
Like lightning flashing as good news bears he.

15. Bestowing steeds decked out on the unveiled,
So many a day his munificence made glisten!

16. With his chest he turns back the brag of Samhar,
What can the withering do to the fading?

17. As if he and al-Mashrafi with their hands
Were a sea engulfing the swimmers in its swell.

18. And his sons are the first into the fray
With the Mashrafi lances' quick thrust and repel.

19. From each loose-sleeved hero, mighty Samaidha',
Most radiant browed lion Samardal as well.

20. He inherited generosity from noble ancestors,
As the imamate among the Saraya of 'Ali's line.

21. Finest achievement! How the world is illuminated
By his shining, beaming, glowing face divine!

22. You who filled the empire with piercing blades,
Generosities, virtues, and great kindness.

23. The pebbles are counted, but not your merits, which
Would weary all accountants without fail.

24. In every land you have a way and creed,
A shrine whose breeze blows like a waving veil.

25. Wondrous, that I have come in evening times
To one like you, open-handed and sublime!

26. My lord, I came thirsty for your munificence,
And from my life's drought, you gave me to sip.

27. I relied on your help, and was lavish -
Like al-Buhturi relying on generous Mu'tazz.

28. So pour freely to one who seeks your ode, the like of which
Was not seen from Jarir in ancient days of old;

29. Were it recited in Kulaib's sanctuary, its verses
Would have shamed, in pagan days, the tongue of raving Muhallal.