1. Do I hope for solace from ruined abodes
That brought me to ruin and that was my ruin?

2. The dwellings of those I loved would quench my thirst
Like my tears upon every sore wound's surface

3. Shall I greet you, or shall I weep you, or complain of the days
To you, or the days, or the woes of my state?

4. Excuse the one weeping to a deaf idol
Seeking cure from vertigo at the ruins

5. Time erased its inscriptions in the wilderness
As hands of decay engraved the shape of icons

6. I stood amongst them as the night came to the riders
Who descended seeking flowers in vacant valleys

7. Before which the passionate guide halted thrilled
Drawing swords upon cheeks and chins

8. So they passed swiftly as arrows loosed
Like the thick ranks of care and turmoil

9. As though they saw no home but stirrups
And were created but for travel and movement

10. I saw none save dishevelled heads bowed
And noble thighs exposed from rending my wretched heart

11. And a dream that the maidens' waists resembled
The bending bark of the mimosa beneath the axe

12. With hearts for lovers to stray
Bewildered for days like roaming beasts

13. When leaves rustled singing in the dwellings
Upon the birds' tunes they danced like tremulous hands

14. It were as though it had never hosted protectors
A refuge for visitors in morning and evening

15. Every sense of generosity and high company
Were suckled virtues from the cradle

16. Honorable and dignified, possessing all excellence
Comely traits, honored lineage and mark

17. His generosity and tolerance distracted him
From himself without distress or turmoil

18. The discourse of glory and magnanimity amongst them
Like the advice of sheikhs or charms of children

19. It were as though the swiftest racehorse there
Nor the handsomest young knight had gathered

20. With a band above the bare loins
Outstripping the glance without haste

21. Lighter to dust than shade its burden
And nearer fancies' minds in foresight

22. When the sharp flames of their determination ignited
And keen intellects on days of war and horrors

23. None remains save an encampment of clouds
Supported by spears and tall banners

24. The lair of lions and racetrack of steeds
And meadow of wild cows and fold of cubs

25. It were as though it had never been a glad place
For the intimacy of companions between this state and that

26. It were as though I had never obeyed youthful desire
Or pleased my loved ones there or disobeyed those scolding me

27. It were as though none had circled his cup towards me
Fairest of countenances, radiant brow and beauty spot

28. Rather how he quenched me at dawn and dusk
Like the rain's diffusion in meadows and stony plains

29. Exciting me with the sweetness of his saliva
Until I was drunk before his bonds loosed

30. With his eyes he captivated viewers
Bewildered the oppressed, trapped the lurking assassin

31. Astounded the taken by surprise and the dazzled sorcerer
Comforted the hermit and frightened the archer

32. Modesty of devout and cleverness of trickster
Concealment of the refusing and greed of the abject

33. The glance of a lover and dozing of one chancing upon
Turning away in disregard and inclination towards

34. With a look he kills and gives life who he wishes
Revealing what hearts conceal in the moment

35. In each limb of him a revelation and shaking
In each vein within me a Sura of the Quran

36. A coquettish gazelle dictating to me the discourse of youth Upon a lofty branch of Rindamiyya
So she roused my passion and ecstasy at her chant

37. And I was not neglectful of love for her nor my plight
It was as though the anguish of longing between my viscera

38. Was a flaming tongue that crept into a lifeless form
So it provoked my passions, prolonged my torment

39. And burdened me with grief and distressed my wretched self
The nights assailed me with parting and tore apart

40. With the sword of remoteness, my heart and limbs
If passions return me, my grief shall end me

41. While love and passion remain my swiftest killers
And if passions leave me to grief and distress

42. I shall live downcast, anxious and concerned
It suffices as grief - prolonged estrangement and desolation

43. Scarcity of allies and failure of hopes
So it is no wonder, if my endurance lessens

44. My state will change after five conditions
Changing guises and loss of companions

45. Bereavement over conditions and few forms
Endless anxiety, aimless glance

46. And heart without intimacy, palm without wealth
May imposed anxiety befall you, for it is

47. More mournful to the free than fantasy is to fancy
And I am more wretched than one brought misery and sorrow

48. Whose worth was demeaned by poverty
And whom scarcity altered from his traits

49. And shortage accustomed to being frugal
If you see me deprived of money's adornment

50. I am, praised is God, of virtuous state
Nor did lack of wealth's heat urge me

51. To seek money, and the Lord suffices me without any doubt
Nor would I crane my neck to critic

52. Even if claws tore up my neck's jugular
If what adorns the vile of riches

53. Would equal in my eyes a single carat
Tell the fool of this era and its people

54. Attempting foolishly my belittlement and humiliation
By God's power he will not attain it

55. Even if he severs my limbs with an Indian sword
I am guaranteed, except for myself, against engulfment and leap

56. And my footing is firm, so if I proceed I will not be harmed
And if one day you see me submit to tribulations

57. Then, by God, my actions did not contradict my words
And that would only be surrender to destiny

58. Can one evade fate's ruse?
I appear complacent, yet the flames of his hatred blaze

59. So my pardon, patience and respite extinguish it
My nature abhors if I carry rancor

60. Nor was my soul created to tread tangled paths
The fear of disgrace horrifies me if it appears

61. As though amid the jaws of a snarling beast
A haunted ruin the winds complain of its weariness

62. When you tread it and wildcats fear going astray
When the flames of its blaze are kindled

63. Souls take refuge in the mane of the lost
I sensed a breeze from lands that disavowed

64. The dominion of scorching sight of vulgarity
More destitute than a miser's palm of succor

65. Spacious than hopes of a worn out seeker
Dearer to my heart as an abode than immortality

66. If they attempt in immortality the humiliation of my likes
When the leaves sing in the dwellings I see it dance upon the birds' tunes like swaying hands

67. As though it had never been the protectors' refuge
A lodging for visitors in morn and eve