Sol 5.6

  1. Such is glory—newly won and inherited:

    a lineage pure, and a branch illustrious.

  2. Such is glory; let it dwell among the heights:

    the scion builds what the forefathers built.

  3. House of ʿAbd al-Laṭīf, you have held sway—and whoever was

    Abū ʿAbd al-Laṭīf would hold sway.

  4. Mubārak, lord of lofty virtues, raised him;

    how splendid a father, and an illustrious grandfather!

  5. You are the light of Time’s eye—no, rather,

    you are Time entire, and all existence.

  6. You are the center of every branch of learning—no, rather,

    you are perfection’s firm foundation.

  7. I cannot describe your immense

    bounty; my mind, as you see, is slow.

  8. O my dear friends—Rāshid, lord of lofty worth,

    and the son of my affection, loving ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz;

  9. and my beloved ʿAbd al-Laṭīf, for whose affection the

    light of my heart bears witness for me.

  10. Would that I knew! I have sung in ignorance

    of my own station—and ignorance is a grave disease—

  11. whether my excuse will find any acceptance with you,

    O my dear friends; a true friend gives generously.

  12. How could I keep pace with you, when the steed of

    thought within me shies away from verse?

  13. You are what you know yourselves to be; as for our knowledge,

    its creed is love of you—and you are witnesses.

  14. How ashamed she is that what has

    come to you is unadorned, with reserve within it.

  15. Yet I have offered the utmost effort of one with little,

    and a poor man’s utmost is an excuse—and a gift.

  16. So take her: a noble bride born of a heart

    whose creed is love of you—and you are witnesses.

  17. Her dowry from you is acceptance, and that suffices me.

    May you remain safe! Your acceptance—then it is a feast.

Sol 5.6