1. If it is praise, then lineage is foremost
Every eloquent one who recites coveted poetry

2. Love for the son of Abd Allah is more right for he
With him beautiful mention begins and ends

3. I obeyed passions before my eyes could covet
A spectacle they would fall short of and hold in awe

4. The sword of the state fell upon the ages entirely
It folds them in their joints and holds them together

5. So it prevailed even over the sun in its rule
And its mark appeared even on the full moon

6. It is as if the enemies in their lands are his deputies
If he wishes they grab it or if he wishes they submit

7. None write to him but the noble scribes
None are messengers but Thursday's red camels

8. So none who has a hand withheld aid from him
Nor did any who has a mouth withhold thanks from him

9. His name did not fail to adorn a pulpit
Nor did a dinar or dirham fail to circulate

10. Blows with nothing between the two swords but narrowness
Insightful with nothing between the two brave ones but darkness

11. The stars of meteor showers compete each night
With stars whose flowers and buds are from him

12. Of champions he undertakes what no other undertakes
And of lofty aspirations what no other aspires to

13. For they are honey to the lords in goodness
And foam on the water for the crocodiles

14. They are an eager she-camel among the gazelles in the valley
And protective owls for the eagles in the nest

15. When people suffer adversity through them
And their claws his adversaries are crushed

16. Known for his conquest, peace, and pilgrimage
And for giving, praise, glory, and might

17. Even those who hate him acknowledge his merit
And those who do not pray for him pray for his good fortune

18. He triumphed over days until I thought
Time would demand repayment from him, past and future

19. How astray is this wind, what does it want of him?
And this torrent, guiding it, what does it accomplish?

20. Did not the twisting that aimed at bending us
Inform it about you, O chipped and scarred iron?

21. And when the clouds confronted you in their direction
They met you higher than them in pride and nobility

22. So it engaged a face long engaging armor
And wet clothes long wet with blood

23. Some rain follows some from Syria
The last following the first and the learned succeeding

24. So it visited those visited by your horses at their graves
And longing that you harbor longed for it

25. When you paraded the army, its splendor
Was above the horseman, relaxed with hanging spear

26. Around it a sea churning with ships
In which an array of steeds, the noblest, sail

27. Through it the regions became equal, as though
It gathered the parts of mountains and arranged them

28. And over the forehead of each young warrior for battle
Are lines of blows inscribed with pointed swords

29. He extends his hands in the carnage, his fists clenching
And his eyes under the helmet, wakeful and vigilant

30. Like their breeds are their standards and emblems
And their attire and engraved weaponry

31. War's length trained them, so a glance
From afar signals them and they understand

32. They respond in deed though they know not revelation
And he whispers to them though he does not speak

33. They shy from the right flank as if disdaining
To trample the fallen and show mercy

34. And if they were to ram it with their shoulders
Which of its weak, ruined walls would resist?

35. Upon each fallen warrior, beneath a warrior, as if
Watered with blood or fed with flesh

36. For them in fray is the mien of horsemen, and over them
Each steed draped in mail and helmeted

37. Not from stinginess with souls against armor
But clashing evil with evil is more prudent

38. Do you reckon the white of India your origin?
How far astray you are in your imaginings!

39. When we named you, we drew our swords
From their sheaths, smiling at your bewilderment

40. We never saw a king called without his aid
Pleased, though they are ignorant and you forbearing

41. You seized every twist and turn against the enemies
Giving life to whom you will, and denying it to whom you will

42. No death is feared but from your blade
No livelihood divided but from your right hand