1. O hillside, what can the hyacinth do
If the branches of the district are rotten?

2. And you, O protector of the clan, who
Will protect you if the eyelids move to murder?

3. Long live the living one, that living one whose
Poetry combines lion and fawn.

4. To the eyes of the antelope a form of mountain goats, and in
The mountain goats some of the antelope’s colors.

5. A refuge to which people’s hearts thirst
Quenched by his essence, made verdant by the winds.

6. As if the green of the Banu Sa’d settled his campsite
So thunder rumbled and orchards turned green,

7. That generous one under whose banner
Is safety, and in his company, spirit and basil,

8. Who visited Beirut, so its sides turned green
From abundant fertility until Lebanon turned green,

9. That one from whose mouth pearls are harvested in peace
And from whose sword in war comes fire,

10. When the fires of war blaze by day, for him
At night fires are lit to build villages,

11. The knight who spurs horses has cast them aside
So they are knights over the horsemen.

12. The sword he taught generosity from his hand
So wildlife and birds are his guests,

13. Supported by Allah’s right hand, empowered,
The angels of the Merciful are his helpers.

14. The Saudis spend the evening under his banner
As if around him are armies and lads,

15. As if the dwellings of Khidr of luscious fruits
From the gardens are there with palm and pomegranate,

16. The refugee seeking him finds safety just as
The poor become wealthy and the naked clothed.

17. Eloquent in speech, no idle talk to fault him,
And to meanings as to words he keeps the scale.

18. He attained success in ruling and wisdom
Thus in all he was called “O Solomon!”

19. O you who wished to see me, that is a glory
Which proves generosity of character,

20. We knew you from afar by hearsay
And how can ears not know the voice of thunder?

21. This is a hasty eulogy - had I matched it
To what it required, a diwan would not suffice.

22. I plucked a flower from a sweet garden, and enough -
For not every man can pluck all the flowers.