1. I watch for a glimpse of my beloved, hoping for a union,
But an apparition refuses to visit an apparition.

2. Do branches remain except as fuel,
Set aflame by the hands of separation and likeness?

3. The night grew old and its hair turned white.
The west tilted the stars and they leaned.

4. How does one find his way in the darkness of its still blackness,
Crossing a sea or traversing a desert?

5. He startled my sleep coming from the direction of my loved ones,
But brought me no gifts.

6. When drowsiness first touched my eyes,
It was as if the thirsty tribe approached watering holes.

7. But it was only a dream caused by longing
That cleared the worry from my eyelids and departed.

8. May God water the camels that swiftly crossed the sanctuary,
Like arrows released from bows in haste.

9. They defeat the necks of the hillsides arrogantly,
Men meeting men in battle.

10. I found my patience with them to be folly,
And saw my sanity after them to be misguidance.

11. It did no harm to whoever held my reins firmly
To release us for a while had he so lengthened.

12. I recalled the days of companionship and passion
Renewing for us friends and covenants.

13. We lived a life that time will not replicate,
And the passing days left us with only a mirage.

14. Ask my mouth which parts ways in speech and ask my hands
For spears like the snakes of the sand dunes, long.

15. And white swords quenched with blood in their blades
When they meet armored men as saplings.

16. Why should I be content with little out of cowardice
And extend the debt of the nobleminded without end?

17. The nights try to outpace me,
But what horse wouldn’t seize an opportunity?

18. I will take them either by force or escape,
Either by pursuit in battle and fighting.

19. For if I do not attack them boldly
And speak ill of them and fight,

20. Then here is my sword - why haven’t I sharpened its edge
And made it smooth? And here is my spear – why have I let it languish?

21. And I seek them in dancing girls as if
I gather from them scraps and plenty.

22. When the violent journey made them take off their slippers,
The blood took away their slippers.

23. And whenever I said that any young gazelle bent
From intensity, it showed itself pale in the dust.

24. My greatest concern is that I meet a superior man
From whom I can obtain relief from anguish.

25. My father Al-Fatah – the superior men are ransoms for him.
He prevails over them if he shoots and speaks.

26. When manners prevail, he comes forward
Rebuking, while the seekers remain silent.

27. A young man retrieving excellent speech – he didn’t use
To say what is impossible or make what is said impossible.

28. To please the ears of men loudly
And lead the minds of intellects to clarity.

29. And he brought us fresh soft speech, while some of them,
If they speak, make harsh sounds flow to the hearing.

30. I pity them if the people notice a fault with them,
And they are most heavily burdened on the day of debate and swords.

31. He unleashed only his sword, releasing its edge,
Increasing the polishing of its two sides.

32. And when I saw the abundance was less than it deserved
As a reward when he offered his hand and attained,

33. I sent to him an abundance of poetry remaining
And a treasure of generous praise and wealth.

34. Name the last part of it like you named the first,
And grant it grace and beauty.

35. And one like you, if he perfects the beautiful,
Started with benefaction and then increased and remained loyal.