1. To what far horizon is my glance confined
And how much does my heart's abode lament being shackled

2. Averting after nearness is an ailment to me
And after sleep, rousing is difficult

3. O home of humiliation, farewell to the one who left your dwelling
Honor is more fitting for the one to whom you bid adieu

4. I cast off with the hands of resolve all dubious things
With their trotters, the thoroughbreds warn them away

5. And every night its darkness misleads the stars
The hearts of guides wander confused by it

6. And young men's steeds were distressed at eve
By cares, hopes, and youthful aspirations

7. Wearing garb low drawn o’er their faces
Melodies of parting make them quaver

8. I take no wounds but from their lances
When the sharp blades held by white hands charge

9. And many a matter distant in its ends
Has been brought near me by the excellent and the valorous cavalry

10. And a strategy amid the enemy's spears
Secured my escape through the bravery of the brown-skinned horsemen

11. I have no peace in the lands except in glory
Nor comfort beside me except in honor

12. And I have not stepped toward harm or nobility
Except that the place where I stepped is present

13. Youth is lost, so tell me where shall I seek it
While the white hairs grow thick before my sight

14. And old age bared its whiteness in my temples
Would that it remained concealed in the blackness of my hair

15. White and black are in my head, commanded by neither
Except the white and the black

16. People hope to remain though they know not
That a man is born in the hands of destinies

17. I am preoccupied with worries until nothing delights me
Except the caliph, Norouz, and the feast

18. I yearn for him every day he is joyous
Though remoteness and separation come between us

19. He whose glory is envied, his merits make him blessed
His heart inclined toward the sublime, steadfast

20. Noble in what his mantle conceals and encompasses
Chaste in what his medals contain

21. Pure of heart, his tears have never flowed
Out of sorrow, and he has never underestimated breaths drawn

22. Naught has pleased his eyes except what they have approved
Of noble deeds - no eye nor brow

23. The rainer of spears whose stratagems avail him not
The feeder of the horses when loss of provender distressed them not

24. The leader of steeds galloping with their large pearls
Like the gait of ostriches confused by trinkets

25. Every day he renews bounties that fill my hands
And renews my words - innovation in speech

26. I delight in no wealth by which I am not honored
Nor in any view containing refutation

27. Without glory, comfort has no benefit
And without honor, survival has no praise

28. The wound of doves, not the wound of harm, ever
And death when injustice draws near is desirable

29. The lofty exploits came to you, O Commander of the Faithful
Upon steeds gray as mountain grouse caught by your ancestors

30. You are from glorious Hashim in an exalted line
With a portico built by the cubits of glory

31. The utmost of honor is that it remain yours always
And the epitome of generosity is that your generosity remains

32. For what state can the heart contain its anguish
While my return and return to you are hoped for

33. I was heedless of the count of days preoccupied
Today my year is appointed by a promise from you

34. I blame you while my ear hears nothing
So blame is dismissed and excuse refused

35. He who covets your kingdom, no view aids him
No pride, might, or generosity has he

36. And how can one of blemished qualities seek distinction from you
While the dust of your procession remains in his eyes

37. Not every lightning bolt contends with clouds nor
Are all clouds thunderbolts and lightning

38. It incites horses while fate restrains it
And it aspires to lofty ends while it thunders

39. Pay no heed to threats falling from his mouth
For the threats of the arrogant are inconsequential

40. And it is not expected that he will meet you in number
If the lion has withdrawn, the master concealed his person

41. And if you extended your right hand over Iraq
It would take it while it is distantly expelled

42. I protect your glory from remaining hopeful
And from my gifts being mere promises

43. And if I live far from meeting you
A thirsty heart, and that sweet water is present

44. Why would I love one I do not look upon
Nor is my hope of attaining him extended

45. I weary my heart with one whose company I have not
Oh for men, the mean are few

46. I have composed much verse and have not attained its need
So it has quenched me before the melodies end

47. A feast has come, and the feast of a man is his joy
While you among them are great in esteem and praise

48. The life of a man, all of it, is the time he delights in
And all of life without it is lost

49. So delight in it and in days adorned by it
The dear one is surely fortunate despite tribulations

50. Little is my praise of you in my verse beautifying it
Until my words about you seem like warbling

51. How much have people waded into my words and their sayer
And how much have I been inundated by chanting and declaiming

52. I am blamed because of my poems, how wondrous!
Grapes are blamed if the wine turns intoxicant

53. I have not complained that honor keeps me seated
While you are my sword on the day of clamor that is witnessed