1. Indeed, by my love for you—an earnest man's oath,

    who counts error in loving you as right guidance.

  2. Parting from you has indeed kindled the fire of my longing,

    and made my eye acquainted with sleeplessness.

  3. So will the turns of time return to us

    with one more day of meeting you?

  4. May the talebearers relish my excessive longing,

    and my presence here, with my passion plain to see.

  5. And the cure for my affliction lay in a place

    to which we might be returned, or in a time restored.

  6. So may the morning rainclouds never cease to pour

    among the camps of the women departing at dawn in litters.

  7. They went far off with what I sought and drew away a heart

    that resisted, then submitted to the reins.

  8. You never called me to longing but

    I hastened to it and answered the caller.

  9. It is a sin for a night to pass without

    a vision of Su'ad keeping me awake.

  10. And estrangement near her was sweeter

    to the yearning lover than union from afar.

  11. The riding camels will bring me to what I seek,

    and the seas will free me from needing scant pools.

  12. And I deem Fath's generosity too great to liken

    to a cloud's downpour or a valley's torrent.

  13. Generous, he always has bounty to give

    that changes the course of a barren year.

  14. And there is no excess in him except in generosity;

    in all else he follows right conduct and moderation.

  15. A ward of caliphs, never slackening in his devotion

    to their success and sound judgment.

  16. When error lends its support to whims,

    he insists on allegiance to the black banners.

  17. Fierce in enmity, with long-standing rancor

    against those among them given to deviation and obstinacy.

  18. The sons of al-'Abbas count him a treasure

    for a day of counsel or a day of combat.

  19. From him they have support grounded in piety,

    and an onslaught that mows down the enemies' necks,

  20. and loyal counsel the clan of 'Abd Shams never found

    in al-Hajjaj before, nor in Ziyad.

  21. He is well able to bear the sword, until

    it sways when he draws himself up in the baldric.

  22. He inspires awe; great men revere in him

    the majesty of a splendid man whose fire-steels readily spark.

  23. They offer their greetings from afar

    to a moon appearing from the palace hall.

  24. Standing in their ranks or seated,

    they remain still, patient and unhurried.

  25. So no sidelong glance is repeated

    toward him, nor is speech asked to be repeated.

  26. What has spared me time's calamities is that

    I rely on al-Fath ibn Khaqan.

  27. I have fastened hope's bonds to him; indeed, I

    love the traits of the discerning, generous man.

  28. I forsook al-Sham, my springtime home and solace,

    and 'Alwa, my beloved and my heart's desire.

  29. And bounty like yours made me forget my beloved

    and freed me from longing for my homeland.

  30. And how many a white hand of kindness I owe you,

    whose merit is like yours and that of your benefactions,

  31. and how many a blessing for which I am envied

    by my nearest kin and those who love me!

  32. Because of it, I found the sincere friend like a quarreller,

    and found the ally like an enemy.

  33. And I have two concerns—departure and staying—

    and for each I have already readied my gear.

  34. So if I settle, I have already made my foundation firm;

    and if I depart, I have already made my provisions plentiful.

Sol 6.1