1. My heart was thrilled though not with joy,
And man is hostage to cheer and glee.

2. When the herald came I said, from longing:
Repeat the news for it delights me.

3. Tidings that polished hearts from rust,
Leaving no room for joy's excess.

4. Like Joseph's shirt rent wide when
The herald brought news to Jacob.

5. Let Egypt and its folk in safety rejoice,
Returned to them after hardship's duress.

6. By the splendid mosques, nay by the finest,
Most wondrous and brightest of edifices.

7. Lord of Might and Glory, Ismail, in whom
The days shine after dreariness.

8. Who came to the land when night engulfed it
And lit it like a flaming planet.

9. With wisdom he makes truth manifest
And resolve proceeding like a torrent dispersed.

10. A King who disdained that his virtues
Be aught but his or his beloved son's.

11. Of awe-inspiring mien, his troops suffice,
And his wit makes testing superfluous.

12. His traits blossomed on his cheeks
As the scent blows on perfume.

13. I hint, from the garden's bloom, at his nature
And, from its scattering, at his desired merit.

14. And I say lightning describes his cheer
If lightning from clouds came unmarred.

15. So prosperity in life marks his justice,
And rain his poured-forth, copious bounty.

16. He brought the winds of safety after stillness
And spilled the water of justice after dearth.

17. And restored Egypt to youth's perfection
After she had worn the veil of old age.

18. She became, through his plenitude, ecstatic,
And, from his justice, took her share.

19. And when God wills to bless a nation,
He sends its healing in the best doctor.

20. You held its reins and watered it
After long thirst, in spite of sins.

21. It became, and naught upon this earth,
Fairer than it, for planter or gainer.

22. Wherein the Nile prides itself amid gardens,
Lush, leafy, thick-grown greenery.

23. And you see the dhows cruise above its waters,
Swaying 'tween provocation and coyness.

24. From each dancer to the rhythm of the breeze,
Wriggling between shapes and bendings.

25. The winds controlled its pace so it glides,
Bobbing between hustle and subtlety.

26. Give it free rein and it halts; and if
You shorten it, sails without swerving.

27. Receive this best trusteeship and rule it;
The Lord of servants gave you it despite each rival.

28. Not for you did they choose it undeliberately,
But for clinging to the best of counsels.

29. Then hear the saying of a truthful man
Who claims no manners or courtesy but yours.

30. You have done him good and he gave thanks,
And thankfulness for favor is the best tax.

31. So turn to him—you will find a noble scion
Worthy of fair kith and welcome.

32. His face reveals his heart's affection.
The face reveals the sincere and the crafty.

33. And you have, from the weaving of his words, a gift
Whose elegance makes painting superfluous.

34. Urbane yet bedouin in nature and composition,
For the soul is enamored of all exotic things.

35. I sent it out as an exemplar praising you.
And the arrow is attributed to each archer true.

36. I have plied, with them, a steed of skill
That none can catch in field or track.

37. It left Al-Walid choked in its dust
And passed as its rider pulled at the rein.

38. Decode it and you will glimpse yourself therein,
In the splendor of cool speech for one grown old.

39. Like a camera lucida—it has clearly reflected
From its description what was unclear.

40. You remain in the sphere of high virtues a star,
Shedding light for eyes and hearts.