I love them from my very heart.
He who a people loveth shall arise
With them. And here's an end to all our words
Of bickering and mutual abuse."
I told them that it was my duty plain
To reconcile them. I accorded both
Of them most pure intentions. Then I sent
Them home, and made agreeable the way.
Their cares I drove away with honeyed words.
I have composed the verses of this piece,
With sense more delicate than rare perfume
Of orange-flower or than sugar sweet,
For those kind hearts who know how to forgive.
As for the evil-minded, they should feel
The _zeqqoum_. With the flowers of rhetoric
My song is ornamented: like the breast
Of some fair virgin all bedecked with stones
Which shine like bright stars in the firmament.
Some of its words will seem severe to those
Who criticise. I culled them like unto
A nosegay in the garden of allusions.
May men of lion hearts and spirit keen--
Beloved by God and objects of his care--
Receive my salutations while they live,
My countless salutations.
I should let
My name be known to him who's subject to
The Cherfa and obeys their mighty power.
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