1. Thus shall he who aspires to rank supreme find naught,
Unless by deeds that merit he such heights may mount.

2. The author of the lexicon trod a distant, lofty goal,
And shone, while folk in mirk of ignorance still roam.

3. He brought what no hand bears, so slight its girth,
Yet comprehends its meanings the entire earth.

4. Strait is the way for him of narrow scope, whose speech
O'ersteps not what for him her scrolls did teach.

5. No special favour Lexicon on some conferred,
But generous boons the whole wide world interred.

6. The wine-pourer of Ridwan watered beds wherein
For lexicon's every letter grows a tree.

7. Myself I served it, and its weight I bore,
As a mother bears her child, in pain and sore.

8. By day I travel led on by its hand,
Nor turn from it by night, in dark or dawn's first ray.

9. To the Emir's hand it came, who joy did rain
On all the living, sadness to refrain.

10. 'Ali ibn Husayn - God Deck his fame! -
Made straight through it thought, command, and deed.

11. No boon is lost, if but a generous heart it meet,
A hand that's open, and a kinsman true.

12. It met him with free leave, not fixed in place,
Unlike the deeds of whoso masks his vice in grace.

13. It addressed him, ceaseless making honour's tide to flow:
"God's blessing came to you in fortune blest, so know!"

14. Long live in glory his command, as long did last
The life of Him whose rule shall never pass.

15. Most hallowed prayer be, whose count falls short before
The Lord of Both Worlds, who cleft the dawn in four.