Sol 5.6

  1. The old man thrilled to rapture—though this was no time for rapture.

    He played at youth and yearned like a youth—an old man’s youthful passion is a wonder.

  2. And I am al-Akhdar—as those who know me know—

    dark-skinned, from the House of the Arabs.

  3. Whoever vies with me bucket for bucket vies with a man of glory,

    one who fills the bucket to the knot of its rope.

  4. ʿAbd Manāf is a jewel indeed,

    and ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib adorned the jewel.

  5. Every clan is a casting of silver,

    but the sons of ʿAbd Manāf are made of gold.

  6. Indeed, my people—my people possess ample might:

    they kept oppression from me and slackened the strap at my throat;

  7. they left the knot of my tongue completely undone,

    through deeds they rooted deep, and through lineage.

  8. If you come to them, you will alight among them

    seeking their bounty—you will not be disappointed.

  9. And the Messenger of God—my grandfather is his grandfather;

    and upon us came down the Scriptures.

Sol 5.6