1. My master, O you with the radiant appearance
and the eloquent, well-organized speech

2. O you ruler whose deeds we witness
We sacrifice our sight for your sublime self

3. You have created such excellent prose that I said
How much the first left for the next!

4. And you have composed firm poetry the likes of which
Has never occurred in the minds of others in history

5. O you quick to compose poetry, you still enjoy
Enduring, complete, abundant goodness

6. You have beautified Egypt, you who are one of its people
And you have excelled among nomads and city dwellers alike

7. For you are the light of religion and justice and none
Other than you deserves to be named as such without injustice

8. You have burdened me with a plan
That will distract the powers of the roaring lion

9. You said "Permit me" and I am but a single drop
From your abundant, streaming sea

10. Turn away, O Yusuf! What is it you seek
From a life short of years and bereft of prosperity?

11. You have commanded me what you are more worthy of
Thus the commanded one is ennobled by the commander

12. If I were to disobey, none would blame me, yet if
I obeyed, I would fear people's ridicule

13. But obeying your command I have found
Best, even if it weighs heavily on my mind

14. So I have permitted, my lord, as others permit
Diverting money away from where the poet intends it

15. Out of necessity, since I do not deserve what
You supposed, O you whose expectations exceed my capacity

16. A permission which, had I been equitable,
I would have sought from your abundant grace

17. One like you, his worth is not ignored
Nor the agreeable qualities of your pure home

18. You have ruled regarding al-Shahba diverting from
Religious and secular law, like al-Nasiri in Tishtimur

19. We have seen none from you but that
Which pleases openly and secretly

20. A discreet, clean, beautiful, righteous judgment
Removing stumbling blocks from the stumbler's path

21. With rulings made firm such that your judgment
Has become proverbial

22. So may God never make this the last
We see of your radiant face

23. And may you remain in glory and loftiness
O exemplar of poet and prose writer alike!