1. When I sensed the lightning in Damascus,
It reminded my fluttering heart of you.

2. I recalled your smile of contentment,
And shed a tear that would not dry.

3. My heart rises and sets for you,
East and West, night and day.

4. It sways like a branch, blown by the wind,
And like a gazelle turning its neck.

5. No coffee from Sidon
Is more dense or finer strained.

6. When the coffee is properly prepared,
In the cup, it is as fragrant as musk.

7. If met by a morning breeze,
It would be yet more enchanting.

8. But not as delicious to me
As your sweetest flavor, which I wish I could taste.

9. My youth has faded and old age has come,
Dimming the brightness of my days.

10. The steeds of youth once raced ahead,
Galloping, vigorous and sleek.

11. But singers have now abandoned my love,
Though once I was passionate like them.

12. When the sap of youth dried up,
My skin grew loose and my bones weak.

13. I warded off passion with determination,
Without saying: "Gently, oh time!"

14. With letters my pen strokes gently,
Practicing calligraphy on paper white as skin.

15. It did not cease until it brought me to Damascus,
To the abode of Murad Pasha, who does good.

16. O full moon that lights up the land,
Rightly guiding the faith night and day!

17. When the princes compete in glory,
You surpass them all in excellence.

18. O champion of Muslims, time bows to you,
Kissing your feet in homage.

19. It swears that in your magnanimity,
You have rushed to free the noble.

20. No praise befits you, O King,
Unless you are worthy of it.

21. You are wise in the essence of matters,
Your view makes us level-headed and rational.

22. No obstacle can subdue you, like a phoenix,
Whose wings beat the ground seeking cracks.

23. The earth opens wider than its back,
When the stallion pounds it at dawn.

24. It conceived from him a delightful garden,
Lovely, verdant, and thriving.

25. How many meadows and streams are in it,
With the wind rustling its expanse!

26. In it, colors of white, red and yellow
Smile amidst the green growth.

27. With more copious than your palm, if the rainclouds
Refuse to shower the land.

28. No wolf below your cubs
Defends them, baring fangs and claws.

29. On Thursdays they return torn fleece,
Roaring, severing the cries of lions.

30. More vicious than them are the swords,
Stabbing, striking, and slashing.

31. Harim bin Sinan was not lacking
In generosity, he was protected from stinginess.

32. He was clothed in praise that will last
Among people till the end of time.

33. More generous than him, and in praising him
I recounted poetry and skill.

34. His pen brings life to barren lands,
From it realms are watered.

35. It is filled with provision for all people,
Be they pounding or confinement.

36. Woe to him who drinks without pause,
With hair like the hand of fate pulling him!

37. Subtle, it unveils momentous events
With lines more straight than spear shafts.

38. Obedient to his Maker in all He wills,
Be it exhaustion, difficulty, or relief.

39. A glance His command falls short of,
Winds gasp in helplessness and tearing.

40. A sword splitting the resolve of foes
With a strike that splits the earth.

41. A spear piercing the chest of the valiant,
To please on Sunday the One, the Unique.

42. A canal whose streams are thirsty wolves,
Drinking the blood of lions.

43. A coat of mail like locusts' eyes,
Shedding rust, fragmenting and scattering.

44. A mare appearing at dawn
From darkness, rising above the full moon.

45. A bow singing behind arrows
That strike dead those who are hit.

46. And you, when we consider the qualifications
Of rulers, are the most pious, purest and eternal.

47. Your affection is manifest and sincere
Unlike the feigned affection of false friends.

48. You are the loyal one, you are the faithful one,
When companions shun you out of insincerity.

49. You surpassed the heights in the heights,
With those below drowned in your torrent.

50. No sane person doubts
That they were foolish to oppose you.

51. The gap between you is like the gap
Between a man's brow and nose, if you take aim.

52. My God, I praise you for granting me
A fine provision through him.

53. Your servant has wearied you too long
And does not seek from you manumission.

54. If you prefer to relieve him,
Your view is loftier, proper, and soothing.

55. Listen to the wondrous ode
Purer than pearls in description and essence.

56. Its meanings with its words
Are like lovely maidens in form and manners.

57. It delights the Minister, but it
Is those who would drown you pulling at your feet.

58. You came and brought joy
And longing to my heart.

59. You have success in all that you seek,
So you have conformed to the King's decree.

60. Live as long as you wish in what we desire,
For time vanishes enemies but you remain.