1. Oh, for the zeal of students for Allah,
And determination undeterred by blame!

2. All who roll up their sleeves take the plunge,
Plunging from minarets to the necks below.

3. I blame him for keeping his distance,
While he faults me for returning so soon.

4. I've seen weakness submit to the nights
And be content with their blows of misfortune.

5. Were it not for the audacity of the days against me
I would have attacked the heights from every side.

6. It is the way of the Arab youth among us
To join white swords and steeds from the desert.

7. He has the lie of threats against enemies
And truthfulness is his way with blows.

8. I will put on coat of mail and fine blades
Though I have not cast off the garb of youth.

9. I will wrap myself in the darkness while the caravan moves on,
Like an unsheathed sword detached from its scabbard.

10. How many a night have I prepared the stallions for him
With sparks from the flint of the lively fire?

11. I met the earth, her cheeks gone pale,
Toying with wolves and hyenas.

12. I sped to grayness though I was untrammeled,
As grayness hurried to dye itself black.

13. Never did we see one so white of temples
Tormented by one so black of turban.

14. I refused to share my hopes though I saw
Hopes to be most wretched for riders.

15. When despair has disappointed our hopes,
Hope encourages us again to seek.

16. I say, when downpours have overflowed from the clouds,
The rain's pitter-patter on hilltops,

17. It's as if the sky, though angry at the rain,
Beckons it to pelt the mountain peaks.

18. Worthy is it to clasp hands with the open desert,
And trail over it the gentle musical wind.

19. When the slopes are receptive, you see
Ripples in the folds of the hillocks.

20. May God water the city from a source
Of pure, delicate, delightful water.

21. And be generous to the Baqee and its inhabitants
With plentiful, long-trailing trains.

22. The standards of glory - and how much
Worth has been despoiled by time!

23. A grave in Taff which contains a form
Quenched of thirst by the cold drink.

24. Samarra, Baghdad, and Tus -
The season of rainfall with red clouds.

25. Tombs where teardrops fall
As the Pleiades did on the hilltops.

26. If the clouds were miserly with their rain,
The mirages would melt above them.

27. May it slake the thirst I have long felt for you,
Despite my home and nearness to you.

28. Keep your cold, O south wind, from me
And protect me from anything of yours.

29. Bring me no nights and what I loathe
Of your soil.

30. It's little to drive the camels to it
And slaughter the necks of clouds over it.

31. Does its soil scorn its inhabitants
And spew them out to luxury?

32. How wine turns enmities to drunkenness
And serves them the cup of misfortune!

33. Every day, prayers to Allah flutter
Over those sanctuaries and domes.

34. Still I strengthen my resolve
Though few stand by to help me.

35. I will cleave the winds to a soft breath
I craved from the soil of Abu Turab.

36. I wish the nights would favor me
And my victory and purpose take root.

37. Then I will loose my arrows toward you
To penetrate deep in the hilltops,

38. Casting spearheads at the heights
As rain poured from the mountain peaks.

39. And I will rend apart the tents
To fill the encampments with spears.

40. Maybe I can earn some solace from you
That penetrates my heart and veil.

41. For meeting you is just a sign
Of treasure and reward.

42. I have two graves in Zorah that heal
My troubles and grief when I draw near.

43. I guide myself to them and send
Greetings that unerringly find an answer.

44. To visit them cleanses my soul
And wards off any stain from my gown.

45. The one who will share hellfire, my grandfather,
When the gate of salvation from torment opens.

46. The server of all creation with vessels -
How hot they became! - and the Opener

47. Of the path over the narrow bridge to judgment.
The one whose ring was kissed by a hand

48. That bestows every lofty grace.
Were there not miracles at Khaybar's gate

49. To be believed, or the cry of the lover?
They meant him ill, but God refused,

50. So victory came from the crow's side.
Can this moon be eclipsed by clouds

51. And this sun be erased by mist?
Whenever a rebel pressed him hard

52. He saw leaving punishment as punishment.
I see Shaaban reminding me of my longing -

53. Who will remind you of what I hope for?
Through you my pride in poetry, not my poetry,

54. And through you my wares have sold well.
I refrain from ugly words, yet I

55. Aim arrows of abuse at you.
I openly profess loyalty and do not dissemble,

56. I speak of disavowal and do not compromise.
Who has more right to you as a loyal friend than I

57. When you hold the hem of my lineage?
Lover of you, even if my life should hate me,

58. Visitor to you, even if my riding beasts are hobbled.
Only the nights keep us apart,