1. Neither is the pearl truly a pearl, nor coral truly coral,
When you speak - for then the pearl has no price.

2. Wherever you are is a garden, thought to be
The gardens of Eden - so Lebanon is not truly Lebanon.

3. And every month we consider to be spring because of you,
As if all time were nothing but April.

4. You are, in all we perceive, an angel
Who appears - and in all sight, a human being.

5. O blessed full moon rising
Heaven's moon - when you shone, Virgo.

6. As if good fortune, when you came visiting us,
Were a cloak, and you the clasp of that cloak.

7. God brought you when the days were afflicted
And so you were their spirit and delight.

8. You came in a procession that roamed about,
With horses that galloped in the hearts of the people.

9. And the people stood between hope and fear,
As if poised with their deeds in the scales.

10. You rose up on a mountain, salvation through you,
As with the ark when the deluge burst forth.

11. The banner of fortune surrounds you, and around you
Are the supporters and aides of the Throne's angels.

12. In your comforts are waters of wondrous gentleness for us,
And in your terrible power, fires.

13. Had reverent fear not led the kings to you,
Kindness and grace would have led them.

14. Greetings to the living one who milked the Pleiades - how many branches
Grew in its blossoming meadow, branches upon branches.

15. There are orchards of individuals in it, every tree
Fertile - each of its twigs an orchard in itself.

16. O sword of the mighty Ottoman state, he whose state’s sword
Raised it was Hamdan.

17. If Ahmad al-Kindi sought to praise you, materials
To fulfill the truth would not support him.

18. He who each day in his creation has a distinctive trait
Raised your estate high among all people.

19. If any but you can be satisfied by the ode of his praiser
The Diwan would not have sufficed to praise you.