1. Do you think time will restore my days to me,

    among the white palaces and the fortresses?

  2. When union with them was no stolen moment, nor

    frequent meetings with them mere passing encounters.

  3. Hours of delight: whenever their memory was renewed,

    my passion was renewed then too.

  4. And one love among loves has become what keeps me sleepless,

    as though it were an illness among illnesses.

  5. Time has earned my thanks for a favor

    that healed the resentments within my breast.

  6. By God, it never bestowed the beginnings of a blessing

    without enfolding its recipients in that blessing's fullness.

  7. He sought the turban and the scepter—where has

    that cupper's folly failed to reach?

  8. Do you think he was deluded into believing himself worthy of it?

    What folly in the overreach of these delusions!

  9. He sought to divide the retainers after

    they had been united around an illustrious, valiant king,

  10. strengthened by God, who has become a blessing

    from God, bestowed abundantly upon Islam.

  11. Steadfast in deliberation, when he decides by his own judgment,

    he fulfills for you the claims of both undoing and confirming.

  12. He drove affairs with his resolve, and they fell into order

    for one blessed with success in his affairs and firm of purpose.

  13. Majestic when he bears arms, he makes you marvel at

    a full moon shining in the blackness of clouds.

  14. Ever clad in war's garments, he bares

    the forearms of a lion roaming in Bishah.

  15. He shuns the softness of life until there clear away

    the obscurities of doubt and the gloom of darkness.

  16. When he grew suspicious of what he suspected, he sprang forth

    with a double-edged Indian-steel sword, no blunt blade.

  17. Then he marched by night, with an eye that will not sleep upon a mote,

    to destroy men lying asleep in curtained chambers.

  18. They trifled, while a stubborn, contentious man pressed them

    in war, offering it cheaply to whoever bids.

  19. You awakened him and slept heedless of an onslaught

    that ground down the shoulders of Yadhbul and Shamam.

  20. What about him deceived you, when you had already experienced

    his assaults in years gone by?

  21. He abandoned leniency when he charged, seeking you,

    with decisive resolve and a lofty gaze.

  22. He went forth: the thickets of spears are a likely haunt

    of his, a lion's dwelling amid the thickets.

  23. His retainers mustered for him, following one another

    in bands, crossing swords and exchanging projectiles in his defense.

  24. Had they not been bold, they would have learned

    from him to advance at the hour of daring.

  25. He plunges with them into the depths of battle, his resolve

    to mingle banners with banners.

  26. They ask him for deliberation there, having seen

    deep waters through which an overflowing sea surges,

  27. out of concern for the best of all creation

    in soul, and the finest lord and imam.

  28. When you unsheathed the sword, advancing with it,

    the petty slave grew anxious and tried every course.

  29. You marched from nearby; his dwelling was not,

    when you rushed toward him, a place to remain.

  30. He coupled resolve with a slave's escape in a flight

    remembered for disgracing him among the peoples.

  31. He hopes for safety, but there is no safety for a traitor

    who hurled the staff and declared every forbidden thing lawful.

  32. So today the caliphate has found its glory,

    and the face of sovereignty shines after darkness.

  33. Bugha, those closest to him, and his faction are now

    as though they were a dream among dreams.

  34. They fell, and no eyes wept for them

    with their tears; they departed without a farewell.

  35. So live in safety, Commander of the Faithful, enjoying

    a succession of blessings and benefactions.

Sol 6.1