1. I am the one who chose the people of Syria as companions,
Then they left me with tearful eyes and regret.

2. They divided the wealth I owned, so I protected
My heart, but eyes assaulted it till it split.

3. The most difficult of what I endured was when
My eyes, those alluring sick ones, betrayed me.

4. I walked amongst the meadows, not seeing my feet.
Only the blood of bleeding eyes reddened me.

5. I complained, O oppressor neighbors, of your betrayal,
And you, O fleeting moment, betrayed me yet.

6. The hearts of enviers delighted in us,
And fate betrayed us, O Lamiya, and judged.

7. The most difficult was your abandonment of me,
And the easiest was their injustice I bore.

8. The knights did as the tears did, not
Diverting your gaze that sheds them no more.

9. If your abandonment was a kind of coquetry,
None is sweeter or finer than you, O coquette.

10. Oppress me, it’s the oppression of a newborn babe
Who loves his father though he’s blinded him in age.

11. Don’t care for wealth or grieve over a ruined
Union that's vanished and split two ways.

12. Sobs returned your necklace to you complete
Though it was, O strength, blood, and is blood again.

13. This is what Syria left scattered about,
And that is what darkness took, well-arranged.

14. As long as the clarity in your cheek is gathered,
The collar of well-being, we care not what's missed!

15. Rise, look how Al-Sham showers destruction on
Its people. Seek refuge elsewhere, O large-eyed doe.

16. If in Al-Sham no homeland was left safe for us,
In Egypt is the noble master's sanctuary.

17. The best of kings, a father most generous,
The purest defending, wisest whose glory

18. Whenever a king rose for the Merciful, victorious,
Killed by awe before the sword those who oppressed.

19. The waves of death never surged in his swords
Except to drown those who sought them, burning.

20. Looking multiplies reports of him, and whoever
Doesn't see the jewel won't know its price.

21. He clothed justice in youth and chastity in strength
And gave excellence, piety and faith their share.

22. His resolve for his Creator's house never bent
Except the year the two Sad days overshadowed.

23. He attained his wishes in Mina and lived prosperously,
Visited Tah and adorned the House and Sanctuary.

24. And won a mighty victory, bowed down in thanks
Like a young lamb, given to the beloved as gift.

25. If only he who the late king wronged in Syria
Knew to protect the oaths that were broken!

26. Its transgressions demolished my house—no wonder!
A people who attacked the Holy Mosque and Sanctuary,

27. Who denounced the Prophet’s daughters and threw
Al-Husayn’s head, severing his family ties.

28. Who fed the beasts with his supporters and refused
To bury them except amongst ruins and rubble.

29. My master—the virtuous know him.
My longing for you is like a weaned child’s craving.

30. Won’t you smile and restore security?
While you reign, avenging people’s rights?

31. Your father destroyed half of their transgressors,
So add another house with your generosity.

32. One who follows truth will never stumble,
And one who acts like the forebears will not oppress.

33. You see my laments though the floods of calamity peaked,
And worries exhausted me, however great.

34. Or will the free man excuse a slave whose supporter vanished,
So he came while the earth was a carpet and sky his cover?

35. May your days remain smiling,
And may you, O pride of the world, remain our pride!