1. I spent my life, and youth slipped away,
Among beautiful maidens in flowing robes.

2. Now I plead to the Imam of guidance,
And sometimes I am content with love and its joys.

3. I awake except when thoughts of passion
Call me to longing, so I forget my purpose.

4. Woe to me! I see no lover
Whose tears don’t flow copiously.

5. It's as if my heart, with remnants of desire,
Is suspended between fearful punishment.

6. O the joy of the wine-cup and fair beauties!
The days of play and love cannot be blamed.

7. O companion, pour me a drink,
As the veiled one pours from the pitcher.

8. What blessed days my grandmothers knew,
And a faith like the raven's wing!

9. By God, in flourishing lands or in ruins,
I’ve not found their like.

10. I yearn for the day at Bāsim’s abode,
And a gathering between gulf and wood.

11. O blessed gathering! A gathering to honour,
Surrounded by basil and wondrous fare.

12. I spent the night intoxicated by a coquettish,
Playful beauty created for teasing.

13. Then we left at dawn, going our ways,
For all life tells of departure.

14. I sported until I heard passing by
The voice of the Commander of the Faithful.

15. “At your service! At your service!” I left behind youth
And my reproaches fell silent and died.

16. Neither violating a pact nor seeking
Your displeasure. The warbling doves don’t enrich me.

17. I saw the right course and left behind passions,
Though at times they make necks bend low.

18. O you whose words lack any precedent!
You sent down the torrent before the rain clouds.

19. Deeds, not words, bring glory to a man.
Praise what sprouted, be it straight or bent!

20. Leave empty boasts and wait for his deeds.
What’s in the meadow praises the flash of lightning.

21. When the Mahdi marches with his troops,
Or roams among the angry Prophet’s family,

22. Goodness appears on his face to you
Like darkness running through the creases of a robe.

23. The Mahdi among his comrades is no mere lad,
Neither an old man nor a youth.

24. He doesn’t condone wickedness, loathes injustice,
And generosity flows from him on every side.

25. He strikes off necks and emancipates them
In the king’s court beneath the shadow of punishment.

26. In his heart there is wisdom; his coat of mail
Is triumphant prudence, noble in purpose.

27. You see before him an awesome veil,
While the spirit and safety are behind the veil.

28. Slanderers have followed in his wake
Like Arabs wandering away from encampments.