1. Your eloquence pours forth praise in torrents
And your smile lights the faces of the meek

2. Truth resides in your praise though the world may doubt it
While other praise is but lies however oft repeated

3. The stubborn rock itself would speak to witness
Your merit, and the trees join in as scribes

4. If asked who the most virtuous of all kings might be
All would answer "Ali son of Hussein" in accord

5. A king whom the stars confess fall short of his worth
The rising and the setting lights of heaven's vault

6. Of manners so refined, their fragrant memory
Would lend its scent to flowers were it to fade

7. Had not the full moon's light waned before his brilliance
We would think it borrowed its sheen from his glow

8. His noble mores so gentle in their perfection
Would make dumb beasts converse, such is their power

9. They nourish the milk of wisdom within his soul
Ere the milk of the breast, so chaste is he

10. When he rides forth with his army in parade
The full moon itself seems but a star beside

11. Wherever in the land his tents are pitched
The clouds gather and pour down their bounty there

12. When in the fury of battle with his brave guard
Their galloping steeds scatter the bold heroes

13. His horses' beaks strike at the enemy host
Their tongues like birds of prey snatching morsels

14. Leaving behind only the slain pierced with spears
As carrion for the wheeling birds overhead

15. He reached the heavens of knowledge, till it seemed
Through him the learned and the ignorant were alike

16. He raised the station of scholarship and its people
How strange that one who lifts should also pull down!

17. A king graced with piety, whose adornments
Are the only finery desired by the lovely maidens

18. Generosity comes naturally, not by pretense
What comparison to inborn dew, and affected rain?

19. Though calamity befell to test his mother
It parted to reveal him, once the clouds had passed

20. Whenever he pardons some time-worn penitent
Gifts rain down, wish fulfilling his hopes

21. Reward upon reward he bestows on them
Bounty ever chasing bounty without cease

22. No fault in his gifts, save that his abode
Scarce contains them for one who seeks them

23. So the envious are silenced, and by them
Every foe becomes a friend and companion

24. You see the chosen ones leaving you laden
Their mounts groaning with the loads they carry

25. Their burdens filled by you, though their only
Possessions are the rags their mounts now bear

26. Wherever they pass through town and country
They turn toward where your mounts have traveled

27. And wonder, praising you as you deserve
Though if silent, even the packs would speak your praise