1. The passion left me, to my beloved drawn,
Fate thwarted our tryst, which I had sworn.

2. Does the bough weep drops of myrrh in grief
When its tender branch is twisted and torn?

3. Sweet is love when we draw near and speak,
Bitter when we sever and are lorn.

4. I swear by the enchantment in your eyes,
Never will I change, true to form.

5. Would that your cheeks' soft charm pervade
My heart and soul without scorn.

6. Love hath harnessed my soul's sincere troth,
As slanderers bridled its headlong course.

7. The gentle spring breeze blows, and I crave
Its breath on my lovesick heart to poured.

8. Trust not one enemy, many heads rear
When a serpent is trampled and shorn.

9. Take none for true friend till his heart you test,
And the knot of his creed you have worn.

10. Seek not riches from one with an empty purse -
Draw but water from depths forlorn.

11. He prospers who strives with an upright soul,
Battling time with hard work well worn.

12. I swear by Pleiades and by Sirius,
His rhymes are the best, free of scorn.

13. O guide of steeds whose glory time cannot dim,
You command them with ease, though new-born.

14. Iraq and Syria for any man
To control, you lead gently towards right path sworn.

15. And I seek in Abu Nuwas ecstasy found:
The streams of his verse are still fresh, though far borne.

16. Therein generosity overflows its banks,
Fires that inflame men's hearts are newly stoked and worn.

17. Brighter than Ghassan's line is your glory's spark
Excelling your forefathers' names, though erst sworn.

18. Of deeds most generous and sublime spirit,
Badr Bin Rizik, Fate itself you have worn.

19. Fortune itself awaits his every decree
Harkening his words noble, his mind sharp as flint horned.

20. On his wisdom and counsel might and glory rely,
Just rule rests on shoulders no tyrant has shorn.

21. His threat makes foes cower, his justice mends the corrupt,
And his bounty breathes life in Islam forlorn.

22. He has saved its pillars from utter collapse
As the ropes of its tent pegs were twisted and torn.

23. For the righteous, living, you were a drawn sword,
And a refuge for seekers of knowledge night-worn.

24. After his death, you upheld the state so his sons
Could rule justly once kingship was solidly sworn.

25. You let your favors on his house boundless rain
Till no enemy could plot against him cock-thorned.

26. Fate itself smiles on your counsel so wise and just
And the keen blade of reason at your belt is worn.

27. Abu Shuja, you whom time itself must obey!
Exalted by glory - may you never be shorn!

28. Unique as the full moon in your lofty place,
While Fame proclaims your exclusive station high-sworn.

29. If life allowed, for your sake I would shorten mine,
So enamored am I by your splendor night-worn.

30. If I could, I would pluck for your pleasure sublime
From each moment a taste to savor love-lorn.

31. How oft have you pierced your foes through the heart
When they betrayed, yet swore faith unbroken and sworn.

32. All who cried: 'O time, his like is no more!'
Were trampled by you, high on steed pearl-horned.

33. You yanked down the arrogant by the nose
And he bowed, though kicking, his neck now worn.

34. What surprise that he bore your sharp sword
When his shoulders were too weak for a blade new-shorn!

35. He who enters in strife against cliffs rooted deep
Has called his ruin, his death has sounded its horn.

36. The house of Rizik was glory's apex, and might
While people in valleys were humbled, supply-worn.

37. On them fortune itself could firmly rely
The world prospered in their counsel's safety sworn.

38. My lord, flower of Islam in skill and might boundless,
Protection for me, by your name be reborn!

39. Thank he who granted you, for blessings sought
Are amplified by gratitude worn.

40. Your smile has granted me days filled with light,
Your care visits me, though I am low-born.

41. Unstinted, your gifts rise to skies without limit -
Only Death has curbed your abundant hand's horn.

42. So pray and sacrifice abundant wealth
Hearing praise from my voice, your equal unborn.

43. Adorn this Feast of Sacrifice with my gems,
Like necklaces on steeds, Their glory Outworn.

44. Though now tarnished, my verse shall be burnished
If you mint it, its value new-sworn.

45. So I greet an age where my praises abound -
Like welcomes that hallow each feast night-worn.

46. Many verses now spread, few appraise them.
You alone can assay their true worth new-shorn.

47. If you do not confirm that my words ring true,
The ember's glow exceeds not its ash forlorn.