Sol 5.6

  1. Ah, will the bygone ages return?

    Or not? Then my course must be toward oblivion.

  2. Though my resolve has turned away from folly,

    and I have begun confessing as much to whoever reproaches me,

  3. many a time I ventured forth while youth was sheer delight,

    turning my eyes toward bewitching, raven-black hair,

  4. and toward a radiant beauty of clear complexion, as though

    a Yemeni blade flashed within him.

  5. Many a time I stretched my hand toward the fruit of youth

    and seized from it, with a gatherer’s hand, what might escape me.

  6. Enough of sorrow—for sorrow has indeed been abundant for you;

    every man’s course will be overtaken by day and night.

  7. Muhammad has become the Praised One, just as his name declares,

    pointed out by every finger among righteous deeds.

  8. In whatever field one vies with him, his stride goes first,

    and he wins the wager ahead of every rein.

  9. Standard of the noble, rain for petitioners, dew of the earth,

    whose bonds hold firm amid the assaults of fate.

  10. Men grope toward the rising stars of his judgment for guidance

    when crisis is mute and every proof effaced.

  11. The man whom the years have thrust into hardship sets his hope upon his courtyard,

    then makes his camels kneel within its spacious grounds.

  12. He bids high for the precious treasures of praiseworthy deeds,

    and reckons coveted things the cheapest of wares.

  13. Not a day of his passes without piety’s private counsel

    calling him to kindness and beneficence.

  14. The fingers of his hand never neglect generosity

    before he eagerly turns to a second noble deed.

  15. By this he seeks nearness to God or honorable renown,

    yet the chosen aim of his resolve is the Merciful One’s approval.

  16. When he appears, he fills all eyes with majesty,

    leaving them dazzled and weary from gazing.

  17. When people of sound judgment stumble, he is anchored by

    a forbearance that towers above Yadhbul and Aban.

  18. His encomia have grown sweet upon the mouths of mankind,

    so praise of him is repeated in every place.

  19. From al-ʿAbbas he possesses the glory of lineage,

    through every radiant, purebred son of his.

  20. O heir of al-Ṣabbāḥ, summit of his glory,

    you have become an excellent, deep-founded edifice.

  21. How many splendid deeds of yours there are among mankind,

    and how weighty they are in God’s scales!

  22. I am indeed grateful to you for what you bestowed upon me,

    having striven for it with no sluggard’s effort.

  23. My hands were powerless to repay you, so they laid

    the burden of gratitude upon my tongue’s praise.

  24. I shall surely name you among every tribe,

    spreading your remembrance—the fragrance of the breezes—

  25. like one drawing forth the garden’s scent, escorted all night

    by the east wind’s breath on a rain-darkened night,

  26. in sifted verses, choice jewels of my speech,

    whose channels flow smoothly into the ears.

  27. May your fortune, Muhammad, never cease ascending,

    while your enemies’ fortunes plunge headlong upon their chins.

Sol 5.6