1. As if Simeon did not follow those who passed before
O Saad, blessed is he whose sons were granted succession

2. He remained in the hearing and sight of the world
In manners and character as was known of old

3. His second self restores him, so you witness him
And your eyes scarcely see him altered

4. Who is like Joseph in honoring his father?
And the age has become difficult for the dutiful and loyal

5. He aspired to excellence, hastening ahead
And none stopped as he stopped

6. Taking initiative, issuing orders with confidence
Persevering, patient, or reaching the goal

7. He gathered obvious and hidden glories
And merit is valued by one who recognizes with justice

8. For the greatest righteousness may be the most manifest
And the most beloved righteousness may be the most subtle

9. Leave genius and speak of his virtues
And the soundness of opinion in its management, and enough

10. He is the example for one who makes his gains good
With the alms of justice, so he exceeded not, nor leaned

11. Generosity is good, and all good is in it, if
It turns not to excess, nor turns to profligacy

12. And greed, if it becomes miserliness, its companion comes
To dishonor, though it last long or depart

13. The wealth of the miserly is for Satan, as they ruled
Of old, and whoever said this spoke not nonsense

14. And the palaces of the former enrich them not if they hoard
Except graves whose worms have enjoyed their decay

15. In war is a great lesson - have they not seen
Which storms with civilization were rough?

16. That God thank the beneficent through us - they
Are the rectitude of a society that passed corruption

17. O family of the Sidanawis that walked
The straight path, with no pretense or conceit

18. God gave so you gave, and increased you
Virtue, so you increased, and this suffices as nobility

19. You follow your hands without debt
Not occupying them with pens and pages

20. In worthy causes you established your institutions
With that of your wealth which you dedicated

21. And its last was not its seal
Your building for the chronically ill a house of healing

22. It stands in the populated center, humbly
Of those whose sustenance has been apportioned not to gaze about

23. Simeon's children, righteous in their father's name
Were pure stock, and they are worthy of what they aspired to

24. We present the eldest among them when we mention them
As the first letter precedes the others in the alphabet

25. Their youths are a treasure for protection, whereby
The virtuous ladies are stars unveiling the canopy

26. They and their cousin with him were eminent, and were eminent through him
Like the fastening of a necklace of brilliant pearls

27. They saw with insight how blessed was
The harvest of Salim and Simeon since they collaborated

28. I congratulate Eliyas as his rank came to him
And I know not if my words suffice for the purpose

29. And George I congratulated him before, so I listened to him
Describing to the extent of what I was given to describe

30. Farouk assesses the dangers of men with what
Equals and makes equitable their world if he is gentle

31. His blessings in the people of this house - how comprehensive
Were in the East over a house whose shade covered them

32. How excellent is poetry whose source is passion
As if its inspirer from his soul cried out

33. If sincerity calls he answers obedient, and if
Hypocrisy calls one day, he rebels and turns away

34. I distinguish my friends with poetry and honor it
Lest it be flattery and fawning

35. I praise them for what is in them, and I do not see
Affectation in what I immortalize of their deeds

36. O Joseph of beauty and benevolence, remain an example
Of rectitude for the generation that was corrupt

37. And with traits which one cannot attain
The aspirations of glory except he who had them

38. And going forth with free thought when
Thought is bound by shackles it smashed

39. Our youth refused the struggle for freedom and sought
The ease of positions - ease of life or miserable livelihood

40. And in farming, had they but tilled and had patience
There would be fruits for whoever labored, or roses for whoever plucked

41. It is livelihood in its sound meaning for whom
His nature did not corrupt with love of luxury

42. And in industry are causes facilitated
For whoever applies himself to it with true determination

43. Was the father of the Messiah lowered in
His glory if he was a carpenter and artisan?

44. And in commerce are profits realized
By one who is resolute in what he takes on

45. It is commerce - no country cares for it
Until it sees itself, though barren, bearing fruit

46. The lords of Adnan disdained not engaging in it
So what excuse for one who turned from their path?

47. And the East grew rich through it for an age, but when
It flowed in other than its course, it reaped regrets

48. You practiced it recking not what hardship you took on
Proudly persevering though it burdened you

49. And you went with the highest example, sparing us
From contaminating the pearl, or overpricing the oyster

50. Your father and the enlightened ones emulating him
Returned that conquest to Egypt, initiating again

51. A vanguard with its efforts that came wondrously
Pleasing God and offspring and ancestors

52. O you whose lofty rank we congratulate
The ennoblement of one whose self was noble

53. Farouk, that appointment was your due, you deserved it
So you were most faithful and sufficient, recognized by it

54. May the King live, God helping, supported
And his throne wrapped in the loyalty of the people