1. I have a constant beloved, and he is passion,
And a lover who remains awake while the slumberers sleep.

2. His eyes are narcissi, his cheek a rose,
His mouth a pomegranate, his saliva wine.

3. His gaze is Babylonian, his coquetry Turkish,
His eyebrows bows, his glances arrows.

4. His beauty makes people stop, and among them
Is none but the fervent lover, lost in him.

5. No faultfinder blames him, until when
He sees him, he says: “For this, there is no blame!”

6. Love for him, O censurer, is permitted;
Blaming me later is forbidden.

7. O friends! Is it just, the tyranny of love,
That I bear wrongdoing and oppression?

8. If I leave you, it is not out of weariness;
It is for a matter that has unsheathed the sword from its scabbard.

9. After this, blaming my passion for him is not allowed,
Nor is it allowed for me to fasten the belt of censure.

10. Rather, praising the victorious king provides me
A bond that cannot be severed from me.

11. A king, the best of earth’s kings in the epochs,
Whose excellences people do not deny.

12. At every moment, his favors appear
That honorable feet have never attained.

13. Kings rush to meet him in peace,
Crowding to kiss his right hand.

14. And kissing his right hand is like
The way pilgrims touch the Black Stone.

15. He is rain in time of peace, gentle,
And on the day of war a lion that cannot be confronted.

16. We have seen no full moon before him,
And he wears a wrapping woven by David.

17. Neither did the sun rise on the day of battle
Beneath a dark, annihilating night.

18. His inspired army wages holy war, vanquishing,
With the king as imam leading them.

19. His compliant sword in the necks of foes
Bows down beneath him, prostrate in the dust.

20. He is open-handed, so his palm is not closed
Except around a Samuel or a swift blade.

21. When the complexions of people darkened,
An imposter claimed them, alleging blackness of hue.

22. The snouts of high fortresses wheeze
And their throats are choked with thick phlegm.

23. The gray horses have become black, the white antelopes red,
And the sons of death are resurrected.

24. Yet in the face of every frowner appears
The smile of the victorious king.

25. By God! Had he not been diverted from his aim,
Idolatry would have had no foothold in Damascus!

26. He would have put a collar on the heretic dog
So he becomes a dove wearing a collar.

27. When the clouds do not give rain, he is salvation for religion,
Salvation for the world.

28. Islam has never seen a king like him
Except his father – may God grant him peace!

29. Opener of cities, destroyer of infidel strongholds,
His formidable gifts are like the sea.

30. Goodly mention of him has spread among people
And in the hereafter, his dwelling is most excellent.

31. So remain eternal in kingship, salvation of religion,
As year passes and is followed by another year.