قفْ بالديارِ وحيّها يا مَرْبَعُ

واسأل وكيفَ يُجيب من لا يَسْمعُ

Stop by the abodes and its inspiration, O square one,

And ask, though who cannot hear, how will he respond?

إنّ الديار خلتْ وليس بِجوِّها

إلا الضوابِحُ والحمامُ الوُقَّعُ

The abodes are empty, and nothing of its atmosphere remains

Except the howling winds and the moaning doves.

ولقد تكونُ بها أوانسُ كالدُّمى

جُمْل وعزُّة والرَّبابُ وبَوْزَعُ

There may have been charming companions like lifeless statues -

Camels, honor, the rebab, and the skin bag.

حورٌ نواعمُ لا تُرى في مثلِها

أمثالهن من الصيانةِ أربَعُ

Delicate, gentle maidens, the likes of whom are not seen,

In modesty, they are peerless and unique.

فَغَرِينَ بعد تألّفِ وتَجمُّعٍ

والدهرُ صاحِ مشتِّتٌ ما تَجمَعُ

So they were estranged after closeness and gathering,

As time is a shouter who does not bring together what it splits.

فاسلمْ فإنّك قد نزلتَ بمنزلٍ

عندَ الأمير تَضرُّ فيه وتَنْفَعُ

So resign yourself, for you have come to reside

In the abode of the Prince - you can harm or benefit.

تُؤتى هواكَ إذا نطقتَ بحاجةٍ

فيهِ وتَشفعُ عنده فيشفِّعُ

Your desires will be fulfilled if you speak your needs,

And he will intercede for you when you intercede before him.

قلْ للأميرِ إذا ظفِرتَ بخلوةٍ

منه ولم يكُ عندَه من يَسمعُ

Say to the Prince when you find a moment alone with him,

With none present who can hear:

هبْ للذي أحببتَه في أحمدٍ

وبنيهِ إنّك حاصدٌ ما تَزرَعُ

Bestow upon the one you love - Ahmad and his family -

Surely you will reap what you sow!

يختصّ آل محمدٍ بمحبّةٍ

في الصدرِ قد طُوِيَتْ عليها الأضْلُعُ

The family of Muhammad possesses a special love

That is tucked away in the heart beneath the ribs.