كم من حنين إليك مجلوب — Albohtry

How much longing has been borne to you,

and how many tears an eye has poured out for you!

And you are far away, at a remote destination,

where my torment is a light matter to you.

How far apart, with tears streaming between them,

are a lover's longing and a beloved's distance!

And separation keeps searching for

vengeance to be exacted from lovers.

I swear by nearness after distance,

and by a censurer's desisting after reproach,

that Abu Ja'far has extended my hand's reach

with a gift bestowed from his bounty.

A man of spotless honor: his word is not held back

among us, nor is his action shunned.

His hands journeyed with every night-traveling cloud

of bounty, abundant in showers.

My bond with him is not weak, nor

is my face veiled from his face.

O Ibn Nahik, a wondrous tale—

and time is rich in marvels!

The praiseworthy one is the least wealthy of your brothers,

and most water goes undrunk.

My hope in you is not weak, nor

is my confidence in its fulfillment belied.

Nor is my acceptance of what you had generously given

me yesterday a wolf's furtive snatch.

I have a hope that stands forever awaiting

an awaited, watched-for gift from your bounty,

and an aspiration that never ceases to hover

around a canopy pitched over you.

So how have you driven me toward the farthest prospect

from Yusuf, son of Ya'qub,

who, out of miserliness, denies me even despair,

and lavishes on me 'Urqub's promises?

I am not cloaked in heedlessness,

nor am I associated with greed.

Nor is one like me content with words from you,

and words do not count toward glory.

Either a gift that brings you near my praises,

or an apology that spares you my reproach.