Sol 6.1

  1. This night has grown long upon us, and its darkness has thickened.

    As though I had vowed to converse through the night till dawn,

  2. with sorrow, my whispering companion, dwelling beside me,

    between what I reveal of it and what I conceal.

  3. As though the night held another like itself within it;

    yet long ago the night was thought to be short.

  4. I did not close my eyes throughout it, until it ended,

    wishing I might see the dawn break.

  5. My side is restless, as though I were laid to rest

    with needles set against my flank by a smith.

  6. Not from love, but from a night visitor

    who stole sleep away and gave me wakefulness,

  7. when news came to me from a benefactor

    whom I had not betrayed—by Him who gave the news.

  8. It was said, until its confirmation came to me;

    indeed, the turbid is found alongside the clear.

  9. Do you see women in litters, setting out early,

    coming into view from Najd in groups?

  10. Like willows by the sea, rising above deep water,

    when its current grew still and stretched out.

  11. And you see likenesses of everything—

    every living soul, screened behind a patterned curtain.

  12. Upon the litters are the hues of spear-shafts,

    and meadow lavender, crowned with blossoms.

  13. Each year it has poured down its rain,

    so the meadow's gazelles feed upon the fruit.

  14. Carry a message from me to al-Nu'man,

    the words of one who feared suspicion and offered his defense.

  15. I am, by God—accept my oath—

    indeed a monk who cries aloud whenever he prays,

  16. his inward parts trembling within a temple,

    with handsome locks and abundant hair,

  17. faithful of heart, hoping for his deliverance

    on the day when no servant is denied reward for what he stored up.

  18. We have taken up no rancor from your enemies,

    and with God lies the unspoken part of our defense.

  19. Enemies surround us; nothing helps us

    except God's aid—and God has helped.

  20. Do not be like one who treats his own bone

    with remedies until, when the bone has mended,

  21. he returns after the mending, seeking to weaken it,

    attempting to walk on it, and so it breaks.

  22. And remember the favor that I did not forget

    in striving for you, when the servant was ungrateful,

  23. when we made them scattered fragments, just as

    a fire-kindler scatters sparks in the night.

  24. So keep under cover; do not be a flighty servant,

    and beware of rivals among us, and of revolt.

  25. Our endeavors have already brought forth

    favors that lift up those of us who stumble.

  26. We have glory and a bountiful lord,

    in whose hands is goodness; whatever he wills, he commands.

  27. From him comes bounty, and with him is abundance;

    he alone is looked to for what has eluded others.

  28. And a successful intercessor watches over us;

    in his hands today is the easing of hardship.

  29. Our arms did not falter in a time of need,

    and the contender among us rose high and prevailed,

  30. when we forced them into a narrow defile;

    then we gained success over them, and victory.

Sol 6.1