Sol 6.1

  1. So the east wind has curled the garden's sidelocks,

    And the north wind has ruffled the waves' forelocks.

  2. And I think the Tigris has embraced Islam—have you not seen

    The bridge cutting its girdle in her midst?

  3. And a planter there mirrored the building of glory,

    Planting benefactions around it as his trees.

  4. He has fashioned the revolving celestial sphere, as though

    He created it before it existed and set it turning.

  5. And he built his palace upon the heights of the Pleiades,

    And spread his dwelling over the sphere of al-Naʿāʾim, the Ostriches.

  6. So the plaster's makers polish its silver,

    And the teak's refiners engrave its gold.

  7. Our thoughts and our eyes' gaze have been engrossed,

    Since he began making its ornaments his poems.

  8. Be expansive in form if you cross his mind,

    And reach the heavens when you reach his abode.

  9. Whoever recounts his deeds forgets the ʿAmāliq giants,

    And whoever numbers his cities puts Egypt to shame.

Sol 6.1