Sol 6.1

  1. Whose are these dwellings, as though they were a tattoo?

    Nothing remains but the memory and the traces.

  2. We turned aside there with our weary mounts at evening.

    I recognized them with difficulty, uncertain as I was.

  3. We kept asking them when they had become deserted,

    or whether they knew of their inhabitants.

  4. But how can a deserted campsite speak? Effaced

    are its signs, and its landmarks are obliterated.

  5. I remember it when the dwelling was thronged

    with the tribe, where the band camped nearby.

  6. And in the gazelles’ pastures grazed

    their white does among the people,

  7. before a purpose summoned them

    to part from us, with resolve to journey far.

  8. And by the curtained chambers, delicate, slender-waisted women,

    supple-limbed, rounded in form, and full-hipped,

  9. with kohl-darkened eyelids and adorned

    necks, while their waists were slender.

  10. When they smiled, they showed us sweet, cool teeth,

    and dusky lips, with spaced teeth and a lustrous sheen.

  11. And languid eyelids, made drooping

    by the malady of coquetry, though no sickness afflicted them.

  12. How beautiful it was, and how delightful,

    that life—if there were no sin in it!

  13. When revelry abounded and spread out

    for life there its dark shades;

  14. the season of youth, the days when we were gladdened

    by meeting Su’ad, and Nu’m bestowed her favors.

  15. A breath of youth flowed over us

    among the beauties, and love held sway.

  16. And the generous suckled together on clear wine,

    like agate, which the vine made flow.

  17. And the singing women sang, and clamorous grew

    their flutes, the treble string and the bass.

  18. There life was sweet in ease and plenty,

    with neither sorrow nor anxiety.

  19. Then all that time passed away,

    as though it were—no, would that it were—a dream.

  20. Such is this youth; may there be for him

    a sequel to his straying—for guidance is imperative.

  21. Gray hair has an outcome, bringing

    wisdom that surges, its sea rising,

  22. through praise of lords whose excellence

    is inscribed upon the page of every heart.

  23. People, beside high nobility, are mere accidents,

    while Muhammad ibn Mu’ammar is its substance.

  24. And Abu Umar is his father, and he has

    al-Rida, the worthy one, of the house of Nabhan, as his uncle.

  25. For the lord in Samad in whom hopes are placed,

    Abu Abd al-Ilah is his name.

  26. A lion-cub of the noblest kings, he has come

    to rise through Abu al-Mu’ammar, his grandfather.

  27. And among his paternal kin, from his clan,

    are generous men in war and peace.

  28. And through his maternal kin in Nizar, he has

    through the sons of Ziyad a mighty standing.

  29. And the envier of your glory, after all this, has

    gravel in his mouth, and dust upon his nose.

  30. And Muhammad the praised incurs no

    blame for his deeds, nor any reproach.

  31. Praise for his goodness is his recompense,

    good fortune his lot, and high honor his share.

  32. Generosity is found in him, whereas indeed

    want withholds it from others.

  33. Kings have recognized his precedence

    in noble deeds, so he has no rival.

  34. No one has surpassed him in virtue;

    in every noble deed he has a share.

  35. And when a grave matter befalls him, he has

    thought that ranges widely and a discerning mind.

  36. In him are insight and intelligence together,

    and quick-wittedness is in him, and understanding.

  37. Generous spirit and decisiveness are his,

    and judgment, acts of valor, and resolve.

  38. He is forbearing, nor is he driven to rashness by

    anger behind which lies peace.

  39. His displeasure meets with pardon, followed by

    the kindness of his favor; his fury meets with restraint.

  40. Every man who possesses nobility—

    to liken him to Muhammad is unjust.

  41. Indeed, all chaste women together

    are barren of bearing one like him.

  42. Indeed, he passes the night above kings, possessed of

    towering honor and overflowing bounty.

  43. Abu Umar left him enduring honor,

    whose house cannot be brought down.

  44. His sanctuary, amid lions, affords him protection,

    and his eminence is where the star shines.

  45. And in every region his people have

    a rope to which the oppressed have clung,

  46. and heights that have sheltered whoever takes refuge with him:

    tawny lances, chestnut horses, and black horses.

  47. O Muhammad ibn Mu’ammar, there have flourished

    for you, through your noble deeds, the towering heights of honor.

Sol 6.1