Sol 6.1

  1. Why are the lions of al-Shara hunted

    by the full-breasted among the gazelles of humankind?

  2. How often has love ruled over hearts

    that, for its sake, defy whoever reproaches them!

  3. Many a prudent man, when passion lures him,

    through love of a beauty, keeps worshipping her.

  4. His eye draws sorrows to him

    from glances he keeps repeating.

  5. And his soul is enamored of beautiful women;

    long has its bewilderment in love endured.

  6. From his beloved, a promise keeps coming to him

    of a visit whose appointed time is never kept.

  7. Rain and protection for a secluded maiden! At dawn they set out,

    and at dusk the hardy she-camels carried her far away.

  8. Ah, what a stopping-place for one who must part,

    the day its shy maidens departed on laden camels!

  9. A pale gazelle has caught you; neither

    her collarbones nor her neck are bare of ornaments.

  10. Nor does the gazelle's dam have her smiling mouth,

    or her limbs, or her rosy cheeks.

  11. Among women whose graceful forms bear

    the gleam of embroidered garments and saffron-dyed robes.

  12. O beloved, whose visit brings reunion

    to cool a burning thirst within the heart!

  13. Long has it been since we saw her; we have nothing

    but her phantom's nightly visit and her remembered dwelling,

  14. and tears continually poured forth

    by a fire of heartache kindled in the breast.

  15. Only he finds his night prolonged

    who is kept awake by a companion within the breast.

  16. How wondrous are hearts and their need

    for beautiful women, while love holds their reins!

  17. And many a night I spent as though, from

    long sleeplessness, my eyelids were inflamed.

  18. The long night seems short to one

    who sleeps through it with few cares.

  19. And the soul is most insistent in commanding evil

    if no restrainer is there to guide it aright.

  20. And pleasant diversions spur it

    toward desire, and youth helps it along.

  21. And fine admonitions set it right,

    while delightful desires corrupt it.

  22. And in love, every temptation grown old

    finds youthful longing returning to renew it.

  23. For me, every pleasure is tinged with sorrow,

    because I know that I shall lose it.

  24. I swore by the sacred city and all

    that its House and its mosque contain:

  25. that, among all the kings from Yemen

    and from Ma'add, when one counts them,

  26. indeed Kahlan, of the sons of Umar,

    is chief of them all and their lord.

  27. Abu al-Ma'ali, their highest in honor,

    their noblest in station and most generous.

  28. The kings have rendered him their obedience,

    all their gray-haired elders and beardless youths.

  29. Heir to the glory of the noble, and its builder,

    his are newly won honors and those inherited of old.

  30. Through him a Yemeni clan has grown mighty,

    its roots within the stock of the royal house.

  31. Of the house of Nabhan, he is its champion,

    its leader, supporting it in every affair.

  32. Its spearhead, its sword, and its shield,

    its keen-edged tongue, its heart, its hand;

  33. its horseman, its spear-thruster, its bold champion,

    when its coward turns back amid the fray.

  34. Reaching to attain every noble deed

    is his hand, strengthened by its generosity.

  35. And a foot has carried him forward to the heights,

    its ascent above the towers of the stars.

  36. He has lofty ambition with which he charges,

    and true resolve that he unsheathes.

  37. He strives toward benefactions, strengthening them,

    or toward houses of his own, raising them high.

  38. He never follows a gift of his with reminders of favor,

    whether he first bestows it or gives it again.

  39. You see the seekers of wealth, when they set out,

    making his spacious shelter their destination.

  40. O house of Nabhan, O sons of Umar,

    yours are the world's multitudes and its sovereignty.

  41. Your bounties embrace all humankind;

    the ungrateful cannot deny them.

  42. Abu al-Ma'ali, may you endure in stations

    you make secure upon the bed of lofty honor.

  43. Fluttering are banners of good fortune,

    which the Lord of heaven binds above you.

  44. May you live through the full span of time's years,

    renewing them between their festivals.

  45. And may you find satisfaction in your fortunate son, Abu

    Abd al-Ilah, with hopes fulfilled and worthy of praise.

  46. Among lords from the heights of the sons of Umar,

    their Muhammad has taken after their Kahlan.

  47. So that, together, you two seem to be

    the twin full moons of glory's sky and its Farqad star.

  48. Kings gaze at you with envy,

    Abu al-Ma'ali; may their envious ones be your ransom!

  49. In kingship and glory, each day that glides past

    has a tomorrow better for you than its today.

  50. Among the desert lands, we attend them

    with well-wrought poetry, which we recite:

  51. a marvel from its poet's intricate craft,

    journeying through the lands for all time.

Sol 6.1