1. Why do critics blame me for my passion?
How does my suffering alone hurt them?

2. I go with my longings and rise with my wakefulness,
So my ardour matches their ardour, my sleeplessness matches their sleeplessness.

3. The doves of Dauḥ stirred my passions from the meadows of Ḥimā,
Exciting my passions, tirelessly,

4. Repeating their coos and warbling,
I spent the night passionate, unable to repeat or respond.

5. I say to them, while the youth takes comfort in hope
And expects loyalty from his loved ones,

6. “O doves of the valleys, will you help me
When the Najdi maid leaves the meadows of Najd?

7. O warblers in the branches, did you share with my nightingales
Some of the heat of ardour that I have?”

8. I rave and pine whenever the north wind blows,
But neither my pining consoles me, nor my tears avail.

9. I recalled my happy days in Suʿād, but found
No joy for me in the abodes of the tribe of Saʿd.

10. I conversed with the Pleiades as if I were
Judhaymah, when their setting eluded his guidance.

11. By my soul that tosses me about with its caprices,
Honouring me when it is friendly, scorning me when aloof.

12. The dearest life for me is to humble myself for its honour,
The best of my qualities is its saying to me “O my servant!”

13. It does not hurt me that I see no one loyal to me
If it says “We are true to you to our promise.”

14. It was faithful to me and was consistent in loyalty,
While my promises were like coats of mail.

15. I complain to God of the injustice of one who does not excuse me
For the sister of maidens, the chaste, upright in stature,

16. A queen of beauty under the banners of her hair,
The shining stars are her retinue, the full moon their leader,

17. Dazzling, when her eyelids wage war on you,
They show you the眠battlements of the dazzling castles.

18. She passes by, and the bitterness of my patience grows sweet
When she turns from allurement to indifference.

19. She is tender to my passion for her and sighs for me
When I catch sight of her breasts like two planets.

20. If she sees the fire of passion in my entrails,
She draws her veil over me and greets me with coolness.

21. She is the paradise of my eyes—if I could choose,
My eyes would never exchange her for the gardens of eternity.

22. She is the sun—no blemish can be seen in her beauty,
Though she hides her splendour from all eyes in her veil.

23. Through her my times of intimacy were joyful, so my star shone
In the ascendant of good fortune through the blessing of God.

24. Hammām is the shining full moon that aspired
To the highest rank in the sphere of glory.

25. He fulfilled his covenant to the pilgrims with righteousness and piety,
As the Caliph made covenant with the Master of Guidance.

26. When the signs of guidance are counted by those who shun error,
The days point to him with the unique standard.

27. None adorned the neck of glory with a necklace of virtues
Except him, for he was the clasp of the necklace.

28. He is the sea—but the sweet sea, with no tumult in it—
To nourish the heart in ebb and flow;

29. Its water reflects the purity of its source,
Traditions of truth from his father, from his forefathers.

30. Characteristics more fragrant than the wafting scent of youth,
Strong, yet God protected him from contention;

31. Morals like gardens, with streams flowing among them
Between bushes and flowers.

32. If I listed his noble deeds, you would refrain,
For are the stars ever counted?

33. Giving life to the world, he recited Sūrat al-Ḍuḥá,
And harshness to enemies, he recited Sūrat al-Raʿd.

34. His renown spread east and west through the lands,
Amazing to hear, and excellent in praise.

35. He is the Arab by nature, with the ambition
That is Indian steel and the Indian sword.

36. He is distinguished from his peers by virtues
That are merit—and things are differentiated by their opposites.

37. Humility in the glorious, chastity in the powerful,
Compassion in the generous, and resolution in the determined.

38. How often do the ignorant covet glory, their eyes aspiring,
While their mouths laugh away from greatness!

39. But the eminent are only ennobled by one
Whom their own breasts suckled while still in the cradle.

40. When he looks upon the world, he deems its possessions paltry,
With an eye whose kohl is the reddish dye of asceticism.

41. God distinguished him with perfect virtues
As a special gift—and perfect jewels cannot be divided.

42. He excelled above any peer in distinction and appearance,
Beyond any detractor, low opponent, or envier.

43. And he arrived at Alexandria, which he built
According to the rule of noble deeds for visitors.

44. So by God’s grace it became a paradise for people
And the aspirations of the meek and upright were fulfilled.

45. He visited the sanctuary of Beirut—it rejoiced at his coming,
Becoming cheerful, and turned into a fountain of pure wine.

46. To Syria he became an ornament when he visited it,
And it gained more beauty when he became its cheek’s ornament.

47. He returned, and his return was a feast of joy for us,
Overflowing freely in the garden of hearts without limit.

48. It was the arrival of blessing, O best of those who arrive
Upon us—the coming of rain, but without thunder.

49. O Father Aḥmad, praise of you is still delicious
On the tongues of eulogists, sweeter than honey.

50. God protect you—He has protected a sublime nation,
Which came into being through creativity, adorned in finery.

51. It was nurtured in the uplands of Najd, and from its nature
The breeze of youth blew among maidens and adolescents.

52. It came with its adornments following behind, wearing
The necklaces of pride outstripping, the mantles trailing.

53. No heel was raised before it, nor did any eminent pen
Arise, not even Naabighah al-Jaʿdī’s.

54. It is the lovely, beautiful one whose beauty surpassed
And whose flawlessness before me and after me is astounding.

55. It needs no wealth apart from mentioning your merit,
And it has no alternative to thanking your kindness.

56. I recalled your fine qualities which call for praise,
So that what is between heaven and earth sings their tune as my song.

57. I say passion for India has seized my mind—
But not passion for India or for arrows.

58. Rather, your noble traits have captivated my heart
And nearly overwhelmed my strength.

59. A necklace of perfection adorned your features,
Taking hold of me from the Owner of adornment and gift.

60. So be a sun of honour whose light has no setting,
Calling the tribes with a voice of plenty and bounty!

61. Stay in joy with no sorrow marring your life,
Submitting to wholesome living for as long as you live!