1. When glory is built by spears and swords,
And supported by generous deeds,

2. Then come supremacy, leadership, and nobility,
Attainment, valor, spear, and blade.

3. Man cannot rule except by himself,
Though he descends from generous roots.

4. And no free man, as I see,
Except time makes war or peace with him.

5. Severe upon the days if they are harsh,
Yet gentle if they frown upon him.

6. The wise and keen-eyed never sleeps,
With eyes open while the ignorant slumber.

7. Leave blame! I love the heights,
And if critics blame my love, I care not.

8. I left passion in my old age to the young,
And wisdom returned, peaceable yet firm.

9. I cannot forget the days I spent,
The freshness of youth and life's ease.

10. I kindle with their lightening glances,
The fire of a goblet, and a lover close by.

11. I visit her I loved one night,
As if her darkness was a gathered veil.

12. By the valley's edge the curtains are lifted,
And death's waves crash around.

13. When the old lion roars,
A gazelle answers from the herd.

14. Death whets his snapping fangs,
Like lethal venom from striking serpents.

15. It converses, since no friend remains,
And night's wings flap in the land of destruction.

16. It embraced me when I slept not with tender
White hands, not harsh and rough.

17. From meadows of verse, each garden is mine,
Where a composer dwelt, and finer composers.

18. Watered by the hand of Nasir, blossoms opened
In the meadows, flowers of speech, like banners.

19. Translating his kindness and beauty,
O excellent are the forms his works have taken!

20. With a ladder of azure, you climbed
Glory's height, and the lofty nobility.

21. A spirit and ambition from the heavenly world,
Lofty principles, people's pillars.

22. Endowed by Fortune with most precious gifts,
Of glory, above which gifts cannot rise.

23. You forced the hostile brows to lower,
By the keen edge of your sword made to bend.

24. Abu Falah, you managed affairs wisely,
Skilled and learned in governance.

25. Your view shows the matter before its occurrence,
No fool's mind can grasp the situation.

26. May God protect you from misfortune,
And guard you from the eye's affliction.

27. Who finds favor with you is fortunate,
Who misses your favor remains regretful.

28. You raised the banner of glory, soaring high,
Ambitious toward the sphere of highest heaven.

29. To you belongs every beautiful deed,
And to you nobility cannot cease to flow.

30. Generosities that comfort souls when mentioned,
Containing wealth hoped for, and spoils of war.

31. Rescue, rescue, whenever a warrior attacks,
Following in your footsteps, warrior upon warrior.

32. Courage, might, and high principles distinguish you,
The lion and cattle cannot be equal.

33. No tribe has evaded your command,
When you stood over them with your Indian sword.

34. You may destroy a people for their crime,
Since you are commanded, and have no guilt.

35. Spears and swords have spoken of you,
As well as gratitude and praise from non-Arabs.

36. Translating your long career in battle,
These chronicles have spread far and wide.

37. Woe to him who makes you his enemy!
While fortune and success serve you, O slave and servant.

38. How many times between the two Fridays did you take a stand,
Which even the fierce lions shunned!

39. You sent back death and swords frustrated,
No rival challenges you in this.

40. You left the slain for their blood to mingle,
Food for the birds, beasts, and feasters.

41. The earth drinks of that blood,
As wild beasts feast on the meat.

42. You destroyed those who plotted against you,
Yet you are kind to your subjects.

43. You left the abode of the corrupt desolate,
Empty of people, with landmarks effaced.

44. You judge the people with justice,
No oppressed or oppressor remains.

45. You extend over them a shady shelter,
When misfortunes storm against them.

46. You returned the youth of the age after its oldness,
Its past days returned to us.

47. If they mention generosity, Ka'b and Hatim,
You are the Ka'b and Hatim of this age.

48. Your right hand never tires of giving abundantly,
Not ceasing till clouds pour down.

49. God sends it copious showers,
Its dinars and dirhams like the rain.

50. Your favors adorn me with the finest necklaces,
Better than what envelops the doves.

51. How many praises I have for you, O clan of Sa'dun!
That express gratitude in verse.

52. If recited, they cheer souls and bow heads,
And wrap turbans around men's heads.

53. For you, O clan of Sa'dun, I am a poet,
Lost in the valley of your praise.

54. By your noble character, my wealth prospers,
And you grant me seasons of prosperity.

55. You open the door to generosity, by my life,
And you, by my life, are the most generous.