Sol 5.6

  1. Amid the sanctuary’s white gazelles and herds of white antelope, he sought his quarry.

    The Battle of Badr—the Full Moon: can any blame fall upon us?

  2. You sought combat until we met—

    —then, when he cast his gaze, you sought safety.

  3. How can my sword compare with the glance of one who cleaves the sword—

    —with a glance of his, as cleanly as clipping a nail?

  4. He guards against the evil eye seeing him; meanwhile, every horseman fears—

    —his gaze, even beneath his armor.

  5. Who can give one like me a match for the gazelle of his sanctuary?

    The sword of an eyelid rises above the spear of his stature.

  6. Separation is nothing but death to lovers;

    would that I knew when the Resurrection will come.

  7. My abasement has raised honor for me in his eyes;

    one soul’s humility before another soul’s nobility is exaltation.

  8. And if I do not recognize my own worth,

    how can I hope for honor from anyone besides myself?

  9. What care have I for beauties? Sweet basil smiles—

    —virgin-fresh, while white thaghām blooms upon his cheeks.

  10. Every art has its masters, and among all—

    —men is one who merits the imamate:

  11. the Chief Justice, patron of patrons,

    the Kaaba of excellence, the learned, consummate scholar,

  12. who took his stand in Syria’s Tripoli—

    —which became a beauty mark upon Syria’s cheek.

  13. A luminary whom pointing fingers single out;

    when he approaches, that is the distinguishing sign.

  14. Onlookers marveled at the sea embodied in him:

    a sea above a saddle, while the sea lay beneath his turban.

  15. Majesty amid gentleness, and openhearted ease—

    —amid dignity, and tenderness amid valor.

  16. Wine gains no mastery over him, nor does he meet—

    —fair women with a love-besotted heart.

  17. His eye stands watch over him,

    for within him is a soul forever reproaching itself.

  18. No deed of his ever needs an excuse—

    —nor is any deed followed by remorse.

  19. His rectitude, in judgment, reconciled his enemies—

    —and made him forget the affection of a friend.

  20. One glance from him awes the soul into reverence—

    —and one smile from him makes hearts bow.

  21. Every mouth has yearned to kiss his hand,

    and before him every head bows low.

  22. The Imam’s summit lies far beyond me, and I have not won—

    —an eye like that of the far-seeing Lady of Yamāma.

  23. His deeds outrun my words, and I cannot overtake—

    —them, even if I rode upon an ostrich’s back.

  24. God is enough for you, O Muhammad: you have contained—

    —what even the depths of Tihāma were too narrow to hold.

  25. Would that the Giver who granted you such excellence had granted—

    —us tongues equal to giving it its due.

Sol 5.6