1. Wealth is naught but what spreads praise,
Honor naught but what humbles foes.

2. Kings are stingy with this world yet it spurns them;
He who obeys not his whims shall guard it close.

3. He who sells transient for lasting
Has light when darkness grows gross.

4. Let the sword of state make cheap
A honor which, seen, were the sky.

5. A pure soul were it not
An attribute had been water.

6. And calm wisdom, did it weigh down
Plateaus of bliss, would be vapor.

7. A moon whose fullness moons confirm
That though complete they are not its peers.

8. Fate gave its harsh lead to him
So he harnessed days to his fears.

9. He with kindness made hopes real
And brought life to paupers, while generous were mean.

10. God thanked your heed to guidance
Which made its brilliant light more keen,

11. Guarded it, and none but you
In passion’s year warded foes off it clean.

12. You ransomed many a soul from the enemy’s shackles;
Without you they’d not known an age’s redemption.

13. Once your gift then your property,
Now your blessing and purchase redeemed.

14. Captivity is one of two deaths, yet
Often in it they lived again.

15. You guaranteed the soul of Abu Firas glory
When through him souls were made pure.

16. None but the moon whose unveiling was long
Then shone, made perfect in its fullness.

17. A day when your bounty frees prisoners
While your favors imprison lords.

18. Benefiting Hamdan’s sons with a grace
That by your kindness defeated all conquerors.