ABSTRACT
Ibn Darrāj al-Qasṭallī, Abū ʿUmar Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn ʿAsī ibn Aḥmad ibn Sulaimān. He was born in Spain, although his ancestry was North African Berber. He was a court poet to many rulers and died in Saragossa. He has been edited by numerous scholars, including E. Lévi-Provençal (Beirut, 1956) and Maḥmūd ʿAlī Makkī (Damascus, 1961). I knew your jealous disgust, Which was clear even for a year of good times. I had scarcely given you an odd look Or hung around meekly like a gold chain. Then I smelled sweet clouds, As your breath wafted strongly to me. A boring night was almost half gone When your dawn flared in a fight. I was sweating with life’s water—a face Rushing to him with the water of life. Why if my thanks to you were clear Did you confirm a hostile pledge? Time announced the morning With the call of faith and generosity.
