تريك الذي حدثت عنه من السحر — Albohtry

She shows you the magic you have been told of,

with an eye of languid glance and wondrous languor.

And she smiles, revealing a string of pearls that

shows you the lovelorn one's tears like scattered pearls.

Does wine contain some of her cheek's safflower-red glow,

or has wine's intoxication flared up in her cheek?

She persists in estrangement, never going beyond it,

yet a night-roaming vision of her defies her by granting union.

How many a joy in the darkness at meeting her,

and how many a sorrow at parting from her at dawn!

When night gives us a scant provision of union,

the first signs of day return us to estrangement.

Nor have I forgotten how sleep helped bring her near,

and her visit after all grew still, though she knew nothing of it,

and my clasping her sides, as her hips swayed—

she, supple of flank and deprived of her due.

An embrace that quenches my thirst, though unreal;

had it been real, it would have cured the burning in my breast.

A protection has tenderly guarded you, Commander of the Faithful,

from God against your enemies, a protection of high renown.

The month's crescent has come to you auspiciously—blessed be it,

in every state, both crescent and month.

It has brought glad tidings of your two retainers' victories,

with the greatest bounty, calling for the greatest thanks:

of Muflih's assault in al-Mahat,

and what Ibn Khaqan's cavalry accomplished in Egypt,

and of Abdus's retreat, when he was battered

by the points of Indian swords and dusky spears.

If indeed he was Thamud's misguided one, then there came

upon his people yesterday the young camel's bellow—

with thrusts in quick succession into throats, felling them

as though drunk, and cleaving blows upon their skulls.

You see nothing but toppled heads,

the retainers skillfully slaughtering them—or flowing blood.

The accursed man was not protected by his fortress, which

he had considered a refuge against time's calamities.

He departed into the blackness of night, the cavalry behind him,

squadrons hurrying on, in even numbers and odd.

Muflih has discharged his duty of pursuing him,

so only my own obligation of poetry remains.

They will bring him captive, or bring his head—

the sons of war, and those pressing deep in pursuit of vengeance.

Foremost men among your retainers have strengthened

religion's bonds firmly, and severed the cords of unbelief.

When they conquer a land, they make another like it feel the bite of

battalions that cleave through your enemies as they will.

In the east, then, success is Musa's and Muflih's,

and in the west, victory is hoped for Abu Nasr.

Mention of him has shaken broad Syria,

and troubled al-Jazira's inhabitants with terror.

May you live long, Commander of the Faithful, in a blessing

that doubles the span of life you have been granted.

And may you long enjoy Abd Allah; his generosity

is rain in its downpour, and rain's own brother.

Whenever we send forth poetry about him, there increase

noble deeds of his that surpass the poetry.

I have claimed connection with him through many ties,

though needs may be fulfilled through a slender tie.

And the bounty I received from his father and grandfather,

and the splendor and renown they raised for me.

And my dwelling in Syria stood beside his dwellings,

and wealth is nothing but dwelling beside the sea.

I have a plea, and for it I have left no means unused

of reaching the radiant moon, that proud and lavish lord.

I sought intercession with him through the Imam; in truth,

I sought the sun's intercession, seeking my due from the full moon.

Never have I seen a patron petitioned and an intercessor

to rival these two in the utmost glory and pride:

the deeds of one noble in action, whose bounty is sought,

and the words of one obeyed in speech, whose command is followed.

So live in safety to the last of nights; whenever there pass

an age's closing days, may you both return to the age's beginning.