1. My love for her has returned as it began,
And her crescent, like her cheek, misleads as it guides.

2. A passion renewed by time like her beauty,
So both will be seen ever renewed.

3. Oh long is my concealed love for the beloved!
For my eyes still see him though he's far.

4. A lover whose foe was cruel to a tender love -
Which of them then is guilty of wrong?

5. Her eyes called to me loudly,
And my heart answered ere my ears heard the call.

6. Like kohl, her eyes lined mine with black -
Why then do my eyes still appear darkened?

7. Kohl above kohl - and she needed it not,
Save to water my heart with passion made new.

8. Time has not rusted her sword of allure -
But on her lips I saw the tatters.

9. What have women to do with bearing arms?
Or have your lashes borne the litter?

10. And if they've borne the litter in sedition,
It's only right they should go forth unsaddled!

11. My pledge, after your distance, binds me still
To my claim on you - let the rest fall as it may.

12. "Raise the beautiful!" - and it began with her;
Or isn't one commanded to begin with beauty?

13. Time knew my disdain for punning,
And so refused to pair scimitar and kindness.

14. Oh you fault-finders, through whom would one sleep troubled
By you, and wake happy your love to see?

15. Passion swore by her while you were absent
In censure - and the lovers bore witness!

16. Your fairness imprisons you - yet they
Sold it, and bought error with guidance.

17. The ardent king does not turn back from passion,
Nor the mighty king retract the promise.

18. Never will he go against his nature -
The loftiest of kings, highest in rank and most generous.

19. King of kings - though you hear another claimed,
Take what you see and reckon him passed.

20. And if you reach the clouds before him,
Know you've not attained his lofty heights.

21. Kings worship his face with their faces,
And their grandees abase themselves before him.

22. To him they come in meekness when they come meekly,
And before him they fall prostrate when they prostrate.

23. Thus you see their gifts brought by his glory,
And their power eclipsed by his power.

24. Willingly or not they come, obedient,
Whether wealthy or destitute.

25. He gives the lands of the obedient generously
Since he is too lofty to be meanly giv'n.

26. And he makes the defiant taste punishment, for he
Has wronged creation or transgressed against it.

27. And for many a wilful rebel
He forgives, though intending fully to punish.

28. The king of foes - revered and beloved!
Until you wish to be sacrificed for his sake.

29. A star rose; a full moon appeared; a sword flashed;
A sea raged; a cloud threatened; a lion charged -

30. By his resolve that will not be sated
Until the galaxy is its watering hole.

31. And indeed he established religion after its decline
Through resolve that made the age rise and sit.

32. His sword struck heads while sheathed -
Imagine then how it would be if he drew it bare!

33. Beware of him whether selecting by merit
Or donning the swords for justice.

34. He witnessed wars, of stoutest heart,
Fiercest in onslaught, and noblest in aspect.

35. Passionately he wields the sword in fray
And sees it as a cheek stained with blood.

36. In the day of battle he kneads the brave
With a burnished sword that hews the valiant.

37. A blow that drives through armour and mail
And splits saddle, steed and man.

38. Kings fell short of what you carried,
And what through night vigil you perfected.

39. You satisfied your Lord in guarding his religion,
And gladdened Jesus when you supported Muhammad.

40. No kingdoms attained what you attained
In the prime of youth, after the length of days.

41. All avert their gaze from you in awe
As from the sun whose glare the sightless bear.

42. The traces of your justice in the land are followed,
And your excellent governance is emulated.

43. He who sought to rival your glory died frustrated,
Whether he died or lived on embittered.

44. You are the sea, most excellent in calm waters,
You are time, most noble in aiming high.