1. The lips of the sea nearly melted with envy
Of Beirut's lips, or poured down from ardor.

2. She has been visited by one who has seen many times her beauty,
And none has seen the like of him among men.

3. That fortunate one by whom the world was made happy
And his generous hands will never be forgotten.

4. He is the noble one called the noble son of a noble father,
A noble soul, a noble name, noble hands.

5. He walks about and gold is scattered after him
Like the sky sprinkling the earth with hail.

6. So people thought that the clouds
By God's power had opened the mint.

7. He revived the reputations of generous men of old
As he brought their virtues to life from former times.

8. He returned the ardour of an age whose abode
Was in the exuberance of the heart, between the breast and the bowels.

9. Clear of brow, fierce in battle, powerful,
In the full moon he showed the mien of a lion.

10. A full moon without blemish, a lion without mangy hair,
A sea without foam, a treasure without guarding.

11. His gifts are drawn from God's gifts
Without reckoning, weight, or number.

12. When he draws near, blessings pour from his hand,
And when he turns away, he is not far removed.

13. The ruler on his throne leans upon him
And he whom God has helped with support is fortunate.

14. We consider him the deputy of the Caliph after God,
And after that Sa'id, the mainstay.

15. A pillar of the state of this kingdom who serves it
With money, horse, heroes, and foot soldiers.

16. He is the faithful one who tends to the guarantee
And does not forget the friend nor swerve from the right way,

17. Forbearing, whom no anger can move to act hastily
And the just ruler whom no passion makes unjust.

18. And the decisive one with the sword whom no warrior can withstand
And from whom the mailed warrior gains no safety.

19. O you to whom belongs the right of praise from us
As to us belong the rights of succour and help from you!

20. Shame on us if you honoured our country
While we were like the dumb pillars in the city.

21. This is the praise of a drowning man who sees
Your praise in verse like the spirit in the body.

22. If you wish to bestow on me some honour,
Say "I accept you as my slave"--and no more!