Sol 6.1

  1. Come, do not hold back; proceed and advance.

    You will behold every generous act of kindness.

  2. And strive upon the back of resolve, heading

    Toward the sanctuary of smiling Acre.

  3. And approach and kiss the hem of him who holds glory and eminence,

    And him in whom glory has attained splendid preeminence:

  4. Suleiman, in whom the vizierate has come

    To fasten a girdle, like a bracelet around a wrist.

  5. Brother to forbearance, kindness, justice, and fidelity,

    Noble in character, with a beautiful smile.

  6. He is the intrepid hero and the lion whom

    I see as the boldest lion in daring.

  7. For lions would flee from him if he drew his sword,

    Then he would string them like pearls on a keen blade's thread.

  8. And everyone who has ever trodden his carpet

    Has surely attained what he hoped for from the finest benefactor.

  9. I came to him hoping for a serene disposition,

    Then saw the beauty of that serenity before speaking.

  10. And I was told, “Welcome, be at ease, and welcome!

    You have come to this sanctuary—a most welcome arrival!”

  11. And even if the slanderers of my time have held me back,

    Yet a service is due me, by virtue of my earlier approach.

  12. And far be it from him to heed them, leaving me to return disappointed,

    And my heart be mortally pierced by my slanderers' arrows.

  13. And I have a cord of love that cannot be severed,

    And a cord of affection that has always been firmly twined.

  14. So may he ever be the most generous welcomer of the hopeful,

    And may he remain for all time a cave for whoever seeks shelter,

  15. For all time, so long as Ibn al-Fath composes his praise,

    And the doves of the grove reveal the beauty of their song.

Sol 6.1