1. The cooing of the melodious doves aroused passion's longings in my heart,
And the phantom that would not disperse kept me awake through the night,

2. And the breeze that blew from secluded vales,
And lightning that illuminated the darkened sky.

3. And thoughts of her who reigns within my heart, her love has cast its spell on me,
Imprisoning me in shackles I cannot break.

4. So I spent a sleepless night, with cares that told of the sufferings of the displaced one far from home.
The night stretched on, its darkness draped over all,

5. The wandering stars continue on their westward path.
Their rising stirs feelings of love and passion within me,

6. Sent by she who stirs up trouble, the mother of mischief herself.
My soul is captive to the promises of trysts that will never happen,

7. Even if the dove of faith should swear to keep its pledged word.
So it returns my heart to the religion of my early youth,

8. And the heart of the ascetic holy man again turns to thoughts of love.
For it seeks to kill those loved, as an act of devotion,

9. According to the law of the judge whose authority is never questioned.
A girl who Fair-Faced Morning took as his model—

10. Just as the gaze of the Mother of Fair-Faced served as her exemplar.
The fluttering of her eyelids, darkened with nature’s own kohl,

11. Show that antimony obtained from grinding lead cannot compare.
When she sways her shape, you know that flexibility

12. Has clothed her body far better than armor of steel rings sewn together.
The judge of the court of beauty addresses her hips,

13. When she stands displaying her curves in their perfection.
Graceful slenderness shows in her bones, so that the brand

14. Becomes the devoted lover's adornment.
The beloved disdains to adorn herself in such a manner,

15. Or moisten her mouth with a sip of that cooling drink.
When she relents, she treats me with disdain,

16. While I am left to swallow the bitter dregs from her cup.
The embers of anger burning in my breast lit up her throat,

17. As the sparks of resentment within me burst into raging flame.
She captivated me, so I bowed down kissing the dust

18. Before the praises sung by the Son of the Noble—Muḥammad.
He alone inherits the Prophetic virtues in full,

19. Possessing knowledge, high station, and a noble nature.
He is guardian for orphans and widows, commissioned

20. To relieve the anguish of the grieving oppressed.
He is jealous for truth’s rights, and if they are transgressed,

21. He takes delight in silencing the tongue of the slanderer.
Gentle and forbearing, yet when opposed,

22. A strict disciplinarian and harsh chastiser.
When the ravages of war reveal their horrors, and the two armies meet,

23. The truthful one and liar are leveled together on the battlefield.
He offers his sword-thrusts to the enemy host as sacrifices,

24. And stands in defense of the Glorious One, the Defender of the Faith.
Of cheerful countenance, pure and radiant,

25. Noble in nature today, yesterday and forever.
Lavish in his munificence, he never tires of fulfilling needs,

26. Nor do his circles of generosity cease expanding outward.
Through him virtues grace the worlds, both of this life and the next,

27. And the lands are secured from the mischief of the unruly rebel.
Peerless in his loftiness, yet so refined is his nature

28. That he unites in his hand fire and water that normally cannot coexist.
Of praiseworthy qualities, he walked the path of high honor,

29. With steps surpassing all other singular and matchless men.
In this endeavor his soul assists him, a soul of worth,

30. That views lofty goals as none too high for one like him.
Accustomed to traveling the open plains and traversing the heavens,

31. Roaming even the most desolate deserts.
For those who would venture there, terrors untold await,

32. Monsters lying in wait for the unwary traveler.
The heart of the steadfast commander trembles because of their wiles—

33. One moment adverse, the next favorable to his hopes.
Toward the Presence of brilliance, illumination, and beauty,

34. The rising glow of the beacon of true guidance.
In him are combined the nobility of lofty knowledge,

35. And the honor of the generous house of Hāshim.
None but he is complete in every perfection and virtue,

36. Clothed in utmost completion andHIGHEST attainment.
An ocean of bounty—what is the Euphrates to compare?

37. The Tigris cannot begin to approach the boundlessness of his streaming gifts.
I have grown accustomed to receive from him

38. What I was habituated to receive from his father, Commander of the Faithful, Champion of truth!
Two nobles, a father such that sovereignty was enhanced through him,

39. And a son born to uphold all that is good and excellent.
The two pillars of religion and worldly domain,

40. So that the world yielded to them its reins of authority.
Two full moons whose light encompassed all,

41. Two oceans no diver can fathom their depths.
I will grant him the prime of poetry, a gift

42. Produced by a natural talent flowing and pure.
He is most eloquent in the Arabic tongue, bride of splendor from Andalusia,

43. From the tender shoots of literature watered by the Nile of al-Lāh.
He extracts meanings by force from the words of Ibn Muyassar,

44. And sees in al-Ḥarrāq the most delightful images.
He robs the writings of Ibn Zaydūn of the gift of reason,

45. With a style that intoxicates like the wine of Sarqud.
Refined is their secret, which ravishes the mind,

46. And the flow of their expression tastes sweet to the reciter.
They surpass the highest pinnacle and ascend even higher,

47. Scaling the lofty tower of rhetorical ingenuity.
I matched them in wording and meaning, as if they had gained

48. The pure brilliance of silver purified completely of alloy.
And I embedded within a love poem, which none before

49. Could attain, not even the foremost of talented poets.
And I deposited in it the essence of my inventiveness,

50. So that tongues hastened to praise it, envious though they were.
Young maidens wish they could wear it in place

51. Of necklaces of pearls and gems.
And I adorned it with metaphors, in the context of praise,

52. To be watered with the rain of his streaming gifts.
The pages he authored breathe the scent of dew,

53. Adorned with string upon string of glistening pearls.
From the flowers of literature it gathered fragrant blossoms

54. Never culled by others before.
A gift from Chosroes and Caesar is to him

55. As mere trifles, given his lofty stature.
Do not doubt, even if you are discerning,

56. I swear by the eminence my Master granted you.
By the might and raised station He bestowed on you,

57. Surpassing all others of rank and worth.
You have assumed the seal of the Fatimids, embodying it,

58. So welcome O Imam, Renewer of the Faith!
You triumphed despite the envious and their schemes,

59. Attaining that pure perfection—may you be joyous!
Rejoice, subjugate lands, rule the entire world,

60. For you are Heir to the throne—attack and defend!
Conquer East and West, for the lands long

61. For the justice and equity you will implement.
Give thanks to God, and praise Him abundantly,