Sol 6

  1. The sweetest love is that in which avoidance lasts long.

    And sweetest is that in which lovers reproach one another.

  2. A beloved’s distant home is not blameworthy

    if the reproachful lover finds his desire there.

  3. A heart whose nature is made to bear unrest

    is not like mine, though change ravages hearts.

  4. Fate decreed that I should be kept away

    and suffer what the tormented lover suffers.

  5. Youth is no fresh garment that delights me;

    why, then, does my heart shrink from the first signs of gray hair?

  6. I make peace with one I love, though he is only one,

    and he returns with enemies mustered to fight me.

  7. I am not one whose heart rests with another,

    while gloaters weep and lament over him.

  8. Nor one blind to the course in which his good lies,

    who strains and toils over the outcome of affairs.

  9. Rather, I have the composure of the dignified and the chastity of the

    capable; in weighty matters my heart is resolute.

  10. My first glance into my companion’s heart

    shows me secrets an experienced person cannot see.

  11. I bear what is hateful from those who blame me,

    and I fault the affection of anyone who turns away.

  12. I have worn thin through the days while they were still fresh,

    and spurned the pleasures of life while life was sweet.

  13. Not every honeyed mouth can stir me,

    nor is everything sought dear to me.

  14. My hearing is no garden for invective,

    nor a meadow that praise can make bloom.

  15. Would that I knew how long I must placate one who has hardened

    and clothe him in hopes while he strips away excuses.

  16. Someone like me deserves, on settling in a town

    and finding no one there to love or befriend,

  17. to settle on the backs of the mounts, for they are the

    means of reaching one’s aims when a wish is thwarted.

  18. If I do not ward humiliation away from myself,

    no darkness of oppression will lift from me.

  19. Nor will my mounts tread the face of the open wastes,

    or cross rugged ground and broad plains.

  20. A woman said: ‘They have feathered arrows for your satire;

    how long will you keep praising them at length?’

  21. ‘Gently; they do not know what you are do

    ing. Leave praise aside, for satire lies nearer.’

  22. I replied, while the scent of forbearance rose from my mouth,

    with the restraint of a soul given to noble conduct:

  23. ‘Suppose I were a man who accepted faultfinding as a course—

    with what tongue, daughter of my people, could I revile?

  24. I have no tongue except one that, in praises of the

    illustrious son of Shahin, finds sweetness and fine expression.’

  25. A young man who surpassed the heights of excellence while still young,

    while mature men and gray-haired elders fell short of them.

  26. Inherited glory clothed him in a robe

    whose train of distinction trails through time.

  27. He hung upon the neck of time rare jewels of his own,

    numbered and reckoned whenever honors are counted.

  28. A noble man whose word, when a question grows difficult,

    makes listeners bow willingly and delight in it.

  29. He tears difficult problems apart at once

    when the sharpened sword is glimpsed in his mouth.

  30. His brilliance burns so that his wit never fails,

    and his thought almost blazes—though one must say, ‘God forbid.’

  31. His mouth works wonders in verse, as though

    an angel dictated to him and he wrote.

  32. In our company, the flash of his smile brings recognition;

    many a flash in matters of knowledge is deceptive.

  33. You may be excused, you who persist in wonder at his excellence,

    before which even the fabled western phoenix seems to appear.

  34. He and his father stand together in generosity and noble deeds;

    the branch is drawn toward its root.

  35. Who is like Shahin, and who is like Ahmad,

    when one claims honor and names his lineage?

  36. Bright distinction shines on the horizon of eminence;

    his sky of glory has both east and west.

  37. I seek your protection from people whose very sight irritates the eye,

    as though they came only to please and anger by turns.

  38. When their conduct calls on me to censure them,

    my chastity, judgment, and manners restrain me.

  39. I recognized you among them and praised you alone;

    you alone are my subject, though my words run long.

  40. Had I said this in ignorance, denying your favors,

    my rhymes and polished verse would have resisted me.

  41. To whom else do fruits lift the veil from their faces

    and reveal their hidden splendor?

  42. Does a person of letters have a direction other than you

    to which he turns willingly and aims?

  43. And who besides you leads in the race of poetry,

    with the finest rhymes led and brought to him?

  44. They are radiant blossoms: if they appeared,

    they would take the place of flowers while the flowers were absent.

  45. They bear witness to the favor I have rendered, though it was denied;

    woe to the envious—how long will you keep lying?

  46. May you always be praised, and may I always praise you,

    working wonders of poetic art in your honor.

  47. May the return of glory bring you joy: the return of your generous

    father, who comes and goes for God’s sake.

  48. He makes the pilgrimage to the Mother of Cities in obedience,

    though few desire to obey God.

  49. He returns with forgiveness attending his mounts like an escort,

    adorned by it from head to foot.

  50. So it was of old: he often lived close to battle,

    and a mighty army of victory saw him on his way.

  51. May you endure, and may God preserve your dwelling with Him,

    and bring both your dwellings near to Him.

  52. May the envious remain prostrate, each one

    tossing about with what lies in his heart.

Sol 6