1. Enough sorrow that I ask about the living one,
While dwellings and ruins have become deserted of you.

2. And in them time would bring about ardour,
So in the living one, time brings about terms.

3. They hid the intent - were it not for bodies in winding-sheets -
Verily, the ravens are but carrion birds for secrets.

4. When they traveled, beauty went in its entirety,
Beauties setting under the howdahs.

5. They traveled in successive turns and selected encampments,
And touched the boughs of acacia and piper, bending.

6. So they are, within howdah shells, pearls,
Their vessels are she-camels, and the sea is muddy.

7. How many gazelles, whose glances in hunting
Are lions, while in the enclosures they are tranquil.

8. The young she-camels wish that they are
Necklaces sold in the markets as burdens.

9. Saʿd and Saʿda gave me willingly from the meat
What I wanted, so the omen turned fortunate.

10. Just as the Merciful made it fortunate when it settled,
You see it as a residence for the August One.

11. Damascus is paradise, musk is its earth,
Its pebbles are ruby and its water is running.

12. From the augustness of exalted religion it became
Vainglorious over cities in its special garb.

13. Indeed since he arrived in it and inhabited it
Beauty, grace, merit and favor have singled it out.

14. Lo, O August King, it is a blessing
That Jilqaʾ arrived and affairs became orderly through it.

15. And none suits it but him,
Can a warbler in the horizon match the sun?

16. In his breast is an abundant sea of knowledge
And his mind, when he composes poetry, is creative.

17. He is not a vicious lion with tearing claws,
Though around him are weddings and cubs.

18. A formidable hero whom the protectors dread
And the cowardly dread, fearing him, heroes.

19. The steeds of heroes stumbled over an obstruction
And from it chests and shoulders were wounded.

20. More valiant than him when he brandishes his sword
And his right hand trembles, eager to stab.

21. Nor is the pouring rain more continuous, stormy,
When tails are dragged over the earth by clouds.

22. The wind did not shake it until plains were made equal
With mountains by the striking of torrents.

23. More generous than his right hand which pours with dew,
There is no place in the ages it did not settle.

24. Solemn and revered in souls, his nature
With it, is gentle to the companion and soft.

25. If the entourage of kings are busy with their leisure,
He has no occupation but noble deeds.

26. He wore the clothes of glory plainly,
Can a plain cloak equal fine raiment?

27. Happy is the auspicious year of his succession
To an enduring kingdom, not changed by circumstances.

28. His efforts did not cease to uncover
The facets of purpose, white, and so hopes are met.

29. Whenever he faces the afflicted ones the innocence of his face,
He meets them with acceptance and inclination.

30. How many destitutes has he come upon hoping for his bestowal,
Then he returned, hoping for his munificence, and owning wealth.

31. He continues possessing a kingdom whose shadows
Stretch over him, and alongside bounties, favors are too short.