Sol 6.1

  1. When the carefree one slept, he knew nothing of the grief-stricken,

    anguished by parting, or of ghada's glowing embers.

  2. And the one stirred to sighs and tears does not

    pity one who has spent the night unstirred.

  3. Woe to the love-enslaved one, forever tormented

    by longing, now bidding farewell, now turning aside;

  4. beset by fright after fright at sounds from

    the camel-drivers' goading cries and the hoarse ravens' cawing.

  5. Forever he yearns for old traces at a dwelling-place,

    and wanders lovesick after a traveling woman in a howdah.

  6. And a tender maiden's charms renew his youthful passion,

    full-fleshed of frame, soft in the beauty she displays,

  7. adorned with necklace, girdle, and sash,

    and with anklets, bracelets, and armlets.

  8. She unveiled, revealing a smooth, luminous cheek,

    rosy, suffused with the crimson of modesty.

  9. She gazed with two kohl-dark, languid eyes of

    striking white and black, like a wild-cow calf's eyes I beheld.

  10. And she smiled, revealing white teeth with sharp edges,

    finely notched, daisy-like, with little gaps.

  11. She turned her long, earring-hung neck, which had been

    endowed with the twin contours of a long-necked gazelle.

  12. And she swayed, strutting among her mantles,

    like a slender bough above a quivering sand dune.

  13. And springtime delights him when it comes forth

    in its lush, elegant, heart-gladdening brocade.

  14. And the meadow—spring has spread its carpet

    with variegated, finely patterned, closely woven designs,

  15. of fresh irises and water lilies,

    and narcissi, anemones, and violets.

  16. And its buds burst open and took on colors

    of pearls, rubies, and turquoise.

  17. At dawn the east wind breathed upon it,

    so it began to plead humbly in the temperate breeze.

  18. And the young men passed around its purest wine,

    some mixed, and some left unmixed.

  19. Youthful dalliances have grown unbecoming for a refined man;

    but for his white cheek-beard, he would not seem so.

  20. O soul, melt with ardent longing and endure

    love with the patience of a scrupulous lover.

  21. For I have made one endure the pains of passion,

    one who never ventures into doubtful matters.

  22. And perhaps some people object to our composing

    poetry of love and praise for a crowned one.

  23. So reject the ignorant fool's suspicion, and tell him:

    Indeed, the path of speech is spacious for us.

  24. Do not hasten to judge a friend, pronouncing him

    sinful; consider whether he has some way out.

  25. What can he say against me for praising Abu

    ʿAbd al-Ilah and offering him fragrant thanks?

  26. Indeed, I hold fast to Muhammad's rope,

    seeking a shower of his abundantly pouring bounty.

  27. And I hope for the generosity of Abu ʿAbd al-Ilah,

    Muhammad ibn Abi al-Muʿammar, in eager expectation.

  28. And you see those who hope succeed through one lavish

    with gifts, a reliever of calamities.

  29. Smooth-browed, radiant and bright-faced: dispelled are

    night's shadows by his shining face.

  30. From the stock of al-Azd, who seem

    bright stars rising in the zodiacal towers.

  31. High-nosed and proud, their features shine

    like swords ornamented with gold.

  32. They relieve every intractable calamity,

    and enter every bolted door.

  33. And when calamities' night grows dark, it is only

    by their radiance that the night traveler finds his way.

  34. And to them the anguished seeker turns for refuge,

    and beside them the harried outcast finds a home.

  35. And when they mount their noble horses, you would think them

    the jinn of ʿAbqar upon the dust-clouded ground.

  36. They mount the back of each black steed that swims in its gallop,

    with taut thigh-sinews and high withers,

  37. with a hard hoof and a broad, rounded flank,

    and a broad neck and tightly knit back.

  38. It plunges into the dust with every stout-necked, deadly warrior,

    clad in rings of iron, fully armed.

  39. And when the ʿAtki young man recounts noble deeds

    and glorious exploits of al-Azd, he does not falter.

  40. O Muhammad ibn Muʿammar, utmost goal

    of bounty-seekers' hopes, O succor of the needy!

  41. Rival the sky with your towering glory, and rise;

    or contend with the rival sea and venture into its depths.

  42. And take pride in the Helpers of the Prophet Muhammad,

    from Yathrib—al-Aws or al-Khazraj.

  43. And whoever rivals you has a stammerer's speech,

    and whoever races you has a lame man's gait.

  44. Be safe, and live in prosperity and happiness;

    enjoy your life, O Muhammad, and be glad at heart.

Sol 6.1