1. A greeting whose beauty resembled the pearls of a necklace,

    and from it the robe's bosom was perfumed with rose-hued ambergris;

  2. and the most thirst-quenching salutations, in whose garden sang

    the doves of praise, in gratitude, upon affection's bough;

  3. and the best of prayers, which has found an answer,

    with an arrow of reverence nocked by glory's hand,

  4. from the devoted bondservant, who offers a tribute

    to the lord renowned for bounty and receiving delegations,

  5. to the son of proud nobles, men of lofty rank,

    generosity's ally, Lord al-Husayn, brother of right guidance.

  6. A cloud: when petitioners seek the rain of his bounty,

    he gives without a promise and pours down without thunder.

  7. A generous man: when a plea wafts to his ear,

    he awakens the roses' eyes to his character.

  8. With his birth, the age and its people grew glad,

    and he grew to manhood, and the eye of justice and glory rejoiced.

  9. In generosity, he grows gentle when the breeze is gentle,

    and in battle he hardens like unyielding stone.

  10. He was fashioned of valor and generosity, and his valor

    kindles fire in his limbs, while his palms shed dew.

  11. If one day he gives, you would deem him a son of the rain clouds,

    and if he brandishes a sword, you would deem him a son of lions.

  12. His face attained perfection in the face of happiness,

    so in his crown the moon of good fortune shone.

  13. Behold, then carry a trust from me, O wind,

    that tells how I keep my pledges to him:

  14. a letter from one who longs for him, as though

    dawn breathed from it the fragrance of blended perfume.

  15. And on my behalf, O messenger, kiss his right hand,

    and pour out before him the yearning I conceal.

  16. And convey my greeting to him, for perhaps he

    will answer you with a greeting in return, despite the distance.

  17. For that is a favor from him, its taste like manna;

    my hearing delights in it, and through it my liver is healed.

  18. And I am truly beholden to you for going to him,

    even if you flowed like tears upon my cheek.

  19. And oh, would that the footwear on your two feet—both ennobled

    by the soil of his sacred valley—were made from my skin!

  20. God's peace be upon him as long as a yearning lover sighs,

    and love's ardors set the east wind of Najd aflame.

Sol 6.1