رقى العذال أم خدع الرقيب — أبو الحسن السلامي

Were these the reproachers’ spells, or the watchman’s deceits,

that watered the roses of cheeks from the hearts?

Are they the fathers of passion, or its sons,

who school youth for gray old age?

At parting’s station we stood, setting

the stars of tears in the horizons of sunset.

Marvel at an embrace that drew forth tears,

and a kiss accompanied by sobbing.

The embrace grew tight; had we but understood,

we would have entered through collars and bosoms.

We are those who seek from afar,

for pride’s sake, yet attain what lies near.

We gave ourselves free rein in sin when

we saw pardon among the fruits of sins.

Had al-Ṣāḥib not devised these rhymes,

escape from the love-prelude would not have come easily.

Who can turn his glances toward a ravaging lion,

away from the tender, well-nurtured fawn?

And how can one willingly touch a sword’s edge

when a tender bough lies within the hand’s reach?

In our simile-making, you were an Abū Nuwās,

yet you rose far beyond al-Khaṣīb’s stature.

He whose father is a man like ʿAbbād

will live among mankind without a peer.

You are the surest refuge of the frightened offender, and the treasure of the

eyes of the follower—and brother to the stranger.

Have you any provision but your valor,

or any mount but mighty deeds?

You tame the hardships of the days by force,

and ride upon a stout, unyielding frame.

For the crown of kingship you expend a soul

enamored of relieving anguish.

I have tried the kings; they found

no physician but you for kingship’s disease.

Whoever seized the emirate by force when he gained it—

the vizierate is not won by usurpation.

The able inherit it, and it is claimed by

lineages in which the well-born are deep-rooted.

Your eloquent utterances are your amulets whenever

tongues fall dry before young men and graybeards.

You were called to it in your cradles, and it was promised

to you before taking the chief seat or mounting.

If the jinn of night spoke truthfully to you of me,

you would be captivated by a wondrous human art—

whether with the twin pair, pen and parchment,

or the ample-bodied pair, bowl and cup.

I split thought open to reveal novel phrasing,

and it bears me onward to an unfamiliar meaning.