لم يدر أن ملامه أغراكا — Ismail Sabry

He did not know that his reproach had spurred you on,

when he persisted in his slander and forbade you.

How welcome the censurer's reproach would be, if it

treated you for the pain of love and healed you!

Stand at the dwellings and greet a ruined homestead;

if it could answer, it would greet you.

And scatter your tears upon its soil out of longing,

perhaps weeping will ease some of your burning grief.

And seek a heart that strayed within its courtyards,

if it will accept release from its shelter.

Do you think you will gain a glance from the grudging one

that heals your wounds or quenches your thirst?

How long will you yearn for her, when your lot with her is

coquetry that meets your love with delay?

Go gently, Abu al-Abbas, in pursuit of lofty rank,

and reserve some of it for others besides you.

Is there a virtue in heaven you have not acquired,

for whose attainment you seek the celestial spheres?

By God, how well your right hand finds the way to generosity,

and how light your footsteps on the paths of glory!

You pleased your Lord and held fast to his command,

and followed his Prophet's guidance, so he guided you.

And you divided your concern between keeping his covenants

and caring for the king who entrusted you with stewardship.

And you set wondrous precedents in bestowing bounty,

until we reaped justice from your beneficence.

And you kept striking down the enemies of your glory,

until we counted injustice among your slain.

Glad tidings to you of the Great Feast, for it

has arrived, and its ultimate purpose is to bring you glad tidings.

And rejoice at its happy arrival, for it has come,

while longing draws it to meet you.

And attain, through your diligence, what you wish to gain,

for humankind hopes you will attain your wishes.

And rejoice, for Time has said, marking the date:

The Feast has grown proud, O Tawfiq—may it be your ransom!