1. O you who have reached sublime heights,
Do you see beyond what you have attained any goal?

2. How soon did signs of your genius appear
Startling dreams with their innovations.

3. So a youth outshines the elders
Who spent their days in experience,

4. None can equal him in courage of one who shepherds
And guides the best of all who lead and tend the flock,

5. He aids religion, spreads knowledge and art,
Confirms order, laws and justice,

6. Repels distress, wards off harm with ease,
And shields from plagues and pains.

7. What glory you created, O noble youth,
All the great kings are eclipsed by you.

8. What conquest is nobler than one where no armies
Were marshalled, no swords were drawn?

9. Love of you redoubled the people’s love,
Were it not for awe, it would be passion.

10. This is genius of heart and soul, soaring
Where none can vie once it takes flight.

11. Your feast today, what worthy one
Looks for it year after year with longing?

12. In your lofty realm, angels of grace
Rejoice that the feast be not forlorn,

13. And hope remains attendant on the king
Preparing decorations and banners.

14. Why did you leave Egypt unseen,
Deprived of its lights and melodies?

15. Abandon palace and delight for where?
Seeking remotest Sa’id as your goal,

16. Roving the deserts, crossing wastes and sands,
The lifeless expanses spread around you.

17. What is it treads on vitality and health
To these lands of waste and perils?

18. Death in everything that crawls appears,
No movement shows, or form discerned.

19. My King, how could you brave its defenses
In the wilds, fearing no revenge?

20. Centers of plague where from their dens
Beasts of prey and snakes are banned.

21. Pastures for cattle where only
Herds can be called cattle.

22. Are these the remnant of a people whose strength
Built pyramids enduring time’s erosion?

23. This courage you showed in the path you took
Does courage greatest honor.

24. Not the dawn shows it is a feast
Or comforting the harmed defines the brave.

25. No glory for those who dread the wheel of chance,
No striving for those who love repose.

26. Men wondered when you came in view,
Unsure if waking or in a dream.

27. What beauty in the radiant face of this youth
Rising like a full moon glowing.

28. Can this be flesh and blood, the promised King?
Our eyes strain to see from afar.

29. Never did we see the kings that went before
Except as figures on walls or idols.

30. You came favoring us, and had you given nothing,
Just seeing you would have sufficed.

31. Your efforts lightened our burdens,
How we wished to kiss your feet!

32. You restored our eyesight with your gifts,
Food, clothing, all that life sustains.

33. We rose with no cry of misery,
Slept with no weeping of orphans.

34. Can our thanks repay even if we gave you
Our souls and bodies in devotion?

35. O King who toured the countryside,
Noble are your kind acts and guidance.

36. What joy for rural folk to look upon
The smiling face of their time.

37. To describe the joy in your subjects’ hearts,
Throughout the land defeats description.

38. Gone are days when arbitrary power reigned,
No rights for people, who suffered wrongs.

39. God forgive Egypt through her righteous King
For her sins and transgressions.

40. Guard him and guard her, facilitate his rule,
And make them both endure and last.