Ḥawrān, specifically the village of Jāsim. He embraced Islam after having been a Christian. He praised caliphs and dignitaries, and his poetry reached the very summit of excellence. He was dark-complexioned, tall, eloquent, and sweet in expression, though he had a slight stammer. He was born during the reign of Hārūn al-Rashīd.

In his youth he earned a living drawing water in Egypt; afterwards he kept company with the men of letters, learned from them, and his intellect burned brightly. His poetic gift then poured forth exquisite verse, so that al-Muʿtaṣim heard of him, summoned him, and the poets accorded him precedence; he composed several odes in the caliph’s honor.

He was described as good-natured, refined, and generous. It is said that he once arrived in Bedouin dress, sat in a circle of poets, and asked them to listen to his poetry. His fame spread far and wide, they humbled themselves before him, and matters unfolded as they did.

Among his verse:

An eye kept watch on your secret talk, O languor—
How long will your foolish speech refuse to end? (1)

For the most gracious one to whom a lover may complain
Is he who finds reproach the finest thing of all. (2)

The faces of pleasures have never appeared unveiled
Since our early days withdrew at al-Liwa.

If you would see no trace of patience in one long patient,
Then look at the condition to which the deserted campsite has come.

(1) al-madhill: a listless numbness.
(2) i.e., the one who accepts blame gladly and thus eases the lover’s burden.