Sol 5.6

  1. And she came, her gait vying with the sandgrouse’s—

    a Christian maiden in the choicest of robes.

  2. Zarud—why not give the mounts their rest

    in Wadi al-Khuzama, on either flank of Zarud?

  3. She crosses the streams in a skiff

    whose course cleaves water sweet to approach.

  4. She grows weary of churches along her way,

    that she may reward her lover by keeping her promises.

  5. Secretly she signals with crimson palms,

    and openly appears with radiant white cheeks.

  6. Tipsy, she passes around the choicest wine,

    and smiles, revealing a mouth of refreshing coolness.

  7. She yearns for me with the yearning of she-camels,

    and bends over me with a mother’s tenderness.

  8. She hastens on, streaming agate-red tears

    down her breast, over the pearl strands of her necklaces.

  9. And he whose beneficence has encircled all mankind

    as collars encircle doves—with blessing and bounty—

  10. delegations throng one another at his door;

    there in his courtyard, some stand and some sit.

  11. The caravans press toward a watering place

    whose draughts are gentle and whose approach is sweet:

  12. a young nobleman who surpassed his peers in lordly eminence;

    no wonder one such as he should rule.

  13. In forbearance he is more forbearing than al-Ahnaf himself;

    in glory he has passed the furthest bounds.

Sol 5.6