1. After praising God, whose glory is sublime,
And sending blessings upon the noble Prophet,

2. Who brought us the religion and God chose him,
And upon his family and companions, especially

3. The rightly guided caliphs who succeeded him,
Like the truthful Abu Bakr and then Umar

4. Whose justice and piety spread,
And Uthman who compiled the Holy Quran,

5. And Ali the Prophet’s in-law who unsheathed
His sword against polytheism.

6. The humble Saleh said, may God reform him
And guide him, and in this life and the next

7. Fulfill his hopes and answer his prayers,
And give him on the Day of Judgment to drink

8. From the Pool of the best of creation, a drink that will quench his thirst.
The wise, most generous cub desired

9. To adorn the beautiful manuscript with a pearl necklace.
So I responded readily to what the prince wished for

10. And his assembly of companions sought.
I set about composing poetry though I don’t count myself among the poets.

11. Rather, I spurred the steeds of my thoughts
Alongside thoroughbreds whose rider was noble

12. And they bolted, gushing like rain from my hands
About this intrepid hero, Muhammad Khurshid,

13. The sun of this age though still in his teens.
He came to Egypt when he was about nine years old

14. A Circassian with no doubt.
And the Khedive Muhammad became his guardian in this land

15. And chose him after buying him like Joseph while still a child
Whom fate had exiled from his home.

16. He preferred him after seeing he was bright,
Prudent, lofty among his peers.

17. Surpassing in Arabic, Turkish and excellent in speaking Roman.
He was graced with handsome stature under the full moon,

18. Good manners and dignity prevailed over him,
Languid eyes, a generous chest

19. And a radiant brow shining with light.
So he accompanied the Governor on a journey to Hejaz

20. And rode the steeds of war so bravely
That even lions feared his might at the start of his youth.

21. And how not when, whenever an enemy sought war with him
He met them with unwavering courage as God willed.

22. He waged war while still only ten years old
With great vigor and managed military affairs.

23. His sword flashed decapitating body after body
As he washed in their blood.

24. And like a deadly snake he would dart
Swiftly with his rifle taking perfect aim.

25. And oh how many times in battle he felled
A ferocious brute whom all feared!

26. And oh how many times displaying excellent marksmanship
He hit his target perfectly!

27. And oh how often he plunged amidst raging seas of war
As obscure as the darkest nights!

28. All this he witnessed in Nejd and beyond
When meeting his opponents face to face.

29. And as the Governor observed and heard about him
He was overjoyed and held him dear.

30. Those were his feats though not yet twenty years old,
Still beardless but filled with courage.

31. After the opening of Hejaz he came to Egypt
In the Governor’s entourage seeking his patronage.

32. And he took charge of all the soldiers
Once he had earned the right to promotion.

33. He was justly rewarded for his honesty and loyalty
By the King who was never disappointed in him.

34. He rose by merit to Amirlay without contention,
With the “laam” (ل), the “raa” (ر), and the “ayn” (ع) of his success.

35. He became the third-in-command of the infantry,
Obedient to the ferocious lion who feeds them.

36. And after the “laam” and “raa” came the rank
Of Liwa for the purity which he attained.

37. The third and eighth infantry became his
As subordinates under his banner.

38. He then assumed responsibility for guarding
The royal treasure for which the Magnificent built a citadel.

39. And with him affairs went smoothly and justly
While around it wolves and beasts felt safe.

40. Those who resided in its vicinity settled without fear
Around its walls that towered with might.

41. Afterwards he also took charge of protecting
Manzala where he stayed for a year,

42. And there coexisted with crocodiles in harmony!
Then he relinquished control over the soldiers

43. And went wherever he desired like a gentle breeze.
And after the “meem”, in the year of "daal waw meem" (1386 AH)

44. He assumed rule over the coastal fortress which they proudfully built,
Where for a year at the Alexandria harbor

45. He settled affairs shedding light amid its misery.
Commanding the tenth and twelfth infantry

46. With wisdom for which his judgement was sought.
Then he was summoned to guard Mecca

47. When he surpassed there all his contemporaries.
He managed affairs judiciously for the year

48. After “meem” and “maaj” (1387 AH) while its seas raged.
Then he returned with glory and axe haughty tribesmen

49. To Egypt which he now considered home.
There he was commissioned with overseeing

50. All the King’s armies blanketed by his banner.
He tended to matters private and public

51. Adorned in faithfulness and loyalty.
For this he was established firmly

52. In the year of “taa meem” (1388 AH) with prestige
As rightful owner of an office that commanded attention -

53. The Egyptian Army’s Registry which he reformated.
He remained there for two years as poets craved

54. To praise him and bestow their sweetest words.
And he saw to founding during that time

55. An office for the infantry which he resolved to strengthen
And strove to further develop and teach

56. Mamalik cadets whom he replenished.
In the year of “noon baa hamza” (1392 AH) he was promoted

57. To Mir-Miran further raising his status.
And the Amir assisted his friend Mir Mukhtar

58. In secretly establishing the School of Languages which he supported.
Thus through it enlightenment prevailed, and ignorance faded,

59. As we gained knowledge and education bloomed.
And my thoughts meandered further in praise

60. Of him when he suppressed revolt in Assiut,
Incited by an ungrateful subordinate who betrayed the High State

61. Though they once pardoned his misconduct.
He disobeyed seeking to wage war

62. Prompting the King to summon the Governor of Egypt
To quell the transgressor who threatened his peaceful reign.

63. The King obediently dispatched Ismail
With an army to subdue the defector's lies.

64. But he deemed the matter difficult
And complained to the King of tribulations he faced.

65. So the King summoned urgently the opener of Hejaz
To drop the affair of Assiut and head there at once,

66. After equipping the veteran Ibrahim
To immediately wage war upon it and prepare Kubri Pasha.

67. He ordered his bold nephew
To punish those misguided by arrogance.

68. Thus the brave knight of Jeddah received the command
And readily pledged compliance to the order.

69. Hoping to counter the enemy with mercy, not vengeance
Then set out promptly from Mecca

70. To face the despots who came vilifying him falsely
Assuming vulnerability as allies abandoned his side.

71. They prepared to attack though never testing him in battle before
Thus went astray and were scattered by his blows.

72. The rebels appealed for safety from his might
And complied involuntarily to the King’s rule though they scoffed.

73. Woe to them! Unlike all others when faced by the Amir in war -
A valiant lion with courage equal to great knights of history

74. Like Amr, Antara and Shubaib.
He marched unfazed through the harshest terrains

75. With ease whenever traversing its roads.
And when opponents battled him

76. It dismayed them to meet on the field.
Continuing after Hajj and Umrah he marched to Taif

77. To mobilize troops and raid their lands,
Invading Nejd, terrorizing communities and families there

78. Then trudging through rugged mountains with no water source for travelers
And persevering until they reached Ismail

79. Who hid among Riyadh’s armies that threatened his blood.
Fearful and besieged, he cried out pleading:

80. “O despots, cease this unjust assault!
Show mercy, do not oppress me so,

81. Perhaps the flames of anger may subside.”
“My people, can we not resist the enemy tide?

82. Can we not survive when flooded on all fronts?”
Thus he wailed feeling trapped and isolated

83. While soldiers mounted feeble resistance outside.
The rebel leader swore to capture him without delay

84. As he cowered willing to surrender to safety.
Just then the dreaded commander’s army appeared

85. Putting an end to their wickedness and lies.
The Amir blazed with fury and ferociously attacked

86. Massacring the evil mob with his band.
The Governor scurried to safety

87. Relieved from the agony he was experiencing.
The Amir continued searching relentlessly

88. Until clashing again after another battle.
Helpless, the prince and his frightened men

89. Fled to caves which he prepared for hiding.
The rebel leader pursued him closely

90. Across all paths determined to seize him.
He besieged like an impenetrable fortress

91. Standing firmly whenever assaulted.
Surrounding him, they probed each route

92. Till the prince escaped humbled under cover of darkness
To seek amnesty and comply to authority.

93. The Amir confined securely the cowardly fox,
Once proud and haughty, now humiliated and tamed,

94. To the Amber Fort which was strangely his refuge!
A bastion it was of resilience and composure

95. With abundant officers supporting relentless defense.
He placed it under siege for ninety days, bombarding the fort

96. Until those inside despaired and withered, their strength fading.
Victorious, the bold general captured the feeble prince

97. Binding him in shackles once high and mighty, now enchained.
He was escorted in utter disgrace back to Egypt

98. After glory and ease turned into misery and pain.
The administrator, Salim, then came from Egypt

99. To aid and facilitate affairs though bedouins loathed him.
They opposed the injustice and excess they witnessed,

100. Together with loyalists serving remote areas.
Negligence ruined administration till residents

101. Bemoaned the bitterness of random policy.
So he returned after two years in isolated areas

102. While order returned with justice reigning again.
The Amir afterwards busied himself with construction

103. Extending sway to the Arabian Sea coast with resolve.
The nomads grew accustomed and compliant to him

104. And he became renowned for his generosity.
All peoples favored him for his benevolence

105. And cherished being graced by his shade.
The Europeans said: “Would that we hadn’t

106. Descended upon Nejd or tread its sand!
Would that he remained ruler over it

107. Administering justice throughout the land!”
A consummate prince of finest traits

108. That the most eloquent poet would fail to enumerate.
In him lies wisdom, compassion and chastity,

109. Loyalty, judiciousness amid peace and war.
He aids neighbors in times of need

110. And receives strangers, whoever comes to his abode.
The bedouins saw his wealth was always spent

111. On those who imported horses, purchasing their yield.
So traders flocked to him from the valleys

112. To bargain and profit from this passion of his.
He bought enormous stock at steep prices

113. Until generations flourished, none exceeding their number!
They flowed like lightning under his guard,

114. Their ground-devouring gallop defied the eye’s limit!
With them all desires and ambitions were attained

115. Against the enemy who fled seeking survival.
Oh how many chestnut steeds plunged into fiery warfare

116. Consuming them within its inferno!
Oh how many gray chargers raced swifter than the wind

117. Soaring weightless, their hooves unfelt touching earth!
Oh how many bay coursers battled intensely through the night

118. Tireless amid the darkest veil!
Oh how many handsome roans the army pursued

119. Assuming they were Dawn’s very sons!
Oh how many red racers dragged ranks of men

120. Toppling them, though they tightly held their reins!
Oh how many black-stripped Bookhara stallions

121. Stormed audaciously into the fray bought at highest value!
Oh how many beautifully marked gray mares

122. Outpaced the best of studs in their charge!
When finally the herd grew and expanded

123. He brought them back to Egypt, securing stables he erected
At Anbaba and Kafr Hakim then multiplied

124. Until no other stables compared, pure breds all her fillies!
For he was first to provide Egypt with means

125. To acquire what brought splendor and awe.
And his rule extended equally throughout the land

126. East and west, his command blanketed all its corners.
Even Baghdad came to hear of his justice and clemency

127. And all its notables sought to meet him.
They yearned to enjoy his equitable reign

128. And poured out their hopes only restrained by distance.
Saddened that circumstances kept their aspirations remote,

129. He mercifully made a truthful promise to the sick -
That should they come he would cure their affliction.

130. But the Khedive summoned the noble prince,
Deeming it imperative to abandon other prospects.

131. He responded immediately though his chieftains protested
And returned with his immaculate company.

132. Had his rule there extended but a month,
All their dreams would have come to full fruition!

133. But providence does not always favor one’s endeavor,
Not all hopes conceived reach safe delivery.

134. He ruled over Nejd five years completely
Shepherding the land with great mastery.

135. In 1325 AH he came proudly back to Egypt
Flanked by his governors and deputies.

136. And Damietta, having witnessed firsthand his capability
Preferred him over all other overseers.

137. Boasting of the prosperity he secured
By reviving her neglected space.

138. And during his directorship he blessed it
With a bountiful Nile channel dug by his order.

139. It flowed irrigating the breadth of its expanse
And enriching soil once barren as granite.

140. By God, thriving green now spread across its fields
By his grace and tireless efforts to improve the land!

141. So the Lord of Egypt granted him
Eighty estates pressureless, an endowment for his toil.

142. With them artesian wells were established powering irrigation channels
Thus enlivening dead tracts of land.

143. This is what the chronicles documented of his brilliant path,
And I have conveyed from it a glimpse that sufficed.

144. Though time’s tumultuous tides deterred me,
I wish people for ages extolled his glory!

145. He walked upon the path of comfort and relief,
God enveloped him in His infinite mercy.

146. In the month of Safar, thirteen days before the end
Of Rabi 1299 AH, his Lord summoned him.

147. So for this Jannani inscribed the date mourning his benefactor,
The sun around which three Ibrahims revolved eclipsing their glow.

148. He was the wise, most virtuous scion,
Who championed truth after him and carefully tended the land.

149. Though young he wore the cloak of perfection
And was guided in all affairs by discernment.

150. He outshone the rest like a full moon
But his wisdom and brilliance exceeded the moon!

151. A shining sun emanating rays
That illuminated the darkness blanketing each star.

152. God gave us in this rightly guided excellent Emir
A sincere, sharp mind and protective ally to his brethren -

153. A compassionate doer of good toward the unjust
Proffering amnesty whoever sought it repentant of sin.

154. Valiant, resolute, and lionhearted Qami
Whom time’s caprice could not unsettle.

155. Most deserving he was of Thought’s bride, the poem I made,
Which, an unsolicited gift, I presented with utmost regard.

156. Not seeking reward save his gratitude
And commendation at its accomplished recital.

157. May he enjoy increased glory and dignity,
Exalted through dawn and dusk!

158. No turtle-dove gladdened a branch by cooing
Nor did the nightingale trill the sweetest melody,

159. No voice proclaimed: “O Abraham! We have conferred upon thee
An august opening on a luminous morn!”

160. Nor did Saleh greet saying: “I have composed in your honor
On this occasion verses to add to your praise!”

161. As I say: My prince! Receive tidings glad!
Pleasant is your company wherever your assembly gathers.

162. Rule the glorious state with wisdom instantly
In an era where your enemies are few.

163. And trust in God, for whoever relies on God, He suffices him,
Protecting from the bitterest of adversity.

164. As if time itself submitted obedient and calm
After having reared up refusing the reins.

165. Remain then in growing fortune and gratitude
As long as the crescent shines fulfilling its curve.

166. And send ample peace and prayers upon the best of worshippers
Whose beloved fragrance brings joy wherever it spreads.