1. My friends, passion has unleashed its charms,
And cooed from the branch of my heart like doves.

2. The morning breeze in that land announced
The ardour and longing I kept concealed.

3. From the quarters of the loved one shone
A flash that reminded of his smile.

4. It crept from the folds and hills of yearning
To spend the night complaining in my heart of its journey.

5. The heart was torn by the breeze from the north,
Spilling it like milk in Lebanon. Where, oh where are its ruins?

6. A zephyr from that garden, is there a scent
To heal my love-crazed heart that raves?

7. Can the anguished find someone to convey his tale,
To El Abou El Hosha, and is there one who knows it?

8. May God protect that sandhill and enrich it
With generosity, the lifeblood of its vines and wild beasts.

9. Its clothes have become of emerald,
Embroidered with purple are its turbans.

10. The spirits’ hands turned amidst flowers
At dawn, touching their stems.

11. The lilies danced swaying
As the slender waists of maids bend.

12. Since basil and rose garden kissed
He leaned over the bloom’s mouth to meet it.

13. Seeing the narcissus’s bud, anemone rushed over
Embracing it without consent, so it began to fight back.

14. Carnation grew jealous in blades of emerald
With banners of ruby and came to confront it.

15. The morning breeze conveyed to me from its neighborhood
The generous faces at dawn – but you would not know it.

16. Ask that toucher about a lover’s heart
That moans at its own torment and reproaches it.

17. The branches are a dwelling where the boughs are like brides
Assaulting the rebel of love and judging him.

18. As the switch of acacia bent for a lover
Who wanted to embrace it, it withdrew blaming him.

19. Blessed is the era spent in a garden
And recent company after absence and remoteness.

20. By God, days with him, when I remember them
My eyes overflow with tears.

21. My oath to the one whose love made my heart delicate
And in whom lies my pride, as I am his servant.

22. So why should I ask about him except with praise from one
Who attained glory and overflowed with generosity?

23. He is the Bechir, the Joumblatt, whom
Mankind has watered, and his glory is the harvest.

24. A hero came seeking the greatest glory,
So its pillars were reinforced and its banners rose.

25. With resolve, a conqueror; with wisdom, upright;
With a beacon of righteousness and decisiveness.

26. The lion learned some courage from him,
So his claws reached the beasts of the wild.

27. Bounteous in noble traits, cultivated
Since the amulets were tied, from the cradle days.

28. If hard times dry up the springs, his palm is rain,
And if the dark night comes, his morning is a blade.

29. He rose gloriously as a star of virtue and justice,
With grace to grant wishes, and his own that he conceals.

30. The souls of enemies make pilgrimage to his sword
When his noble hand shakes hands.

31. Praise clothed him in a noble embroidered robe
With the finest perfections raised on high.

32. He is the glorious, the virtuous, nay the best master,
The full moon, the precious pearl of delights.

33. As if gathering money only arms him
Whenever destitute hands reach for his, he shares it.

34. Honour him, fortunate and refined chief
Whose determination rose high upon the litter.

35. Harbinger of desires, lord of manhood and protection,
Of sublime meanings, with no equal or rival.

36. He came during days the flowers envy their bloom
While reason adorned him, guarding him from doubts.

37. Poetry saw the beloved of nobles and so
At his magnificent glory, its poems marched.

38. O master who raised his excellence on high
As the stars orbit the heights of glory!

39. Yours is the highest rank, transcending
All that gleams, served by eternal time and its safety.

40. The abode of glory is proud of you
For winning at all that is lofty.

41. So blessed is Lebanon whose elder you are
And blessed is he who established it and oversees it.

42. Learn generosity from your hands, enriching
Its meadows with your bounty in all seasons.

43. The young lady of thought turned to you in praise
And praising you is an unbreakable duty.

44. So favour her shortcoming eye with forgiveness
For alas! I cannot enumerate your praises though I see.

45. And live safely praising
For you are the source of all praise and eternal.