1. O you whom God has clothed with the mantle of the sublime,
And endowed with the fragrance of His praised overflowing,

2. Whenever I look upon the beauty of his happy face,
I say to my thoughts dwelling in it: graze!

3. And when I lend ear to the sweetness of his speech,
I say: listen and enjoy and graze and be aware!

4. It is as though into his ideas He subtly breathes
In an opening passage, conclusion or section -

5. For you in beauty there are abundant miracles
Never to be combined in anyone else in creation.

6. Two seas - in eloquence the youthful sea,
The poetry of Al-Walid and the fine diction of Al-Asma'i.

7. The sprightly colt embellishes its highness,
The script of Ibn Muqla, most noble and lofty.

8. Like light, or like magic, or like the full moon, or
Like a well-fitted garment on which fur is mounted.

9. Thanks! For how many excellent verses are for you like wealth,
The generous man rewarding the abject pauper.

10. And when the blossoming light of your poetry appears
Beauty lies between the bejeweled and the embroidered.

11. You made the steeds of talent run their course and contented
The outstanding masters while you are the outstanding composer.

12. And you engraved in the choicest part of time marvels
That rival the vestiges of the flourishing spring.

13. And you encompassed that which is alluded to subtly so not
To leave for anyone else in it a share of hope.