1. He appears stately upon the necks of men
As he appears stately upon the necks of mounts,
١. يَبْدُو مُنِيفاً عَلَى هَامِ الرِّجَالِ كَمَا
يَبْدُو مُنِيفاً عَلَى هَامِ الرُّبَى عَلَمُ
2. His cares crowned with grey hairs,
And greys are caused by his slightest care.
٢. مُجَلَّلاً هَمُّهُ بِالشَّيْبِ لِمتَهُ
وَقَدْ تَشِيبُ بِأَدْنَى هَمهِ اللِّمَمُ
3. Upon his forehead are lines
Like mountain paths surrounded by peaks.
٣. وَلِلْخُطُوطِ عِراضاً فَوْقَ جَبْهَتِهِ
شِبْهُ المَدَارِجِ قَدْ حُفَّتْ بِهَا القِمَمُ
4. His eyes like two shining planets,
Brightened by ideals kindling thought.
٤. عَيْنَاهُ كَالكَوْكَبَيْنِ السَّاطِعَيْنِ زَهَا
سَنَاهُمَا بِسَنىً لِلْفِكْرِ يَضْطَرِمُ
5. The branches drooping over his cheeks
Are none but griefs, their shadows apparent.
٥. وَمَا الْغُضُونُ تَدَلَّى عَارِضَاهُ بِهَا
إِلاَّ الشُّجُونُ جَلا أَشْبَاحَهَا الأَدَمُ
6. If his lips draw near in contentment,
From them flow signs and wisdom.
٦. إِنْ تَقْتَرِبْ شَفَتَاهُ وَالزَّمَانُ رِضىً
تَرَقْرَقَتْ مِنْهُمَا الآيَاتُ وَالْحِكَمُ
7. If he parts them in angry stand,
The crater of a volcano startles you, and its lava.
٧. وَإِنْ يُفَرِّجْهُمَا فِي مَوْقِفٍ غَضَبٌ
رَاعَتْكَ فُوَّهَةُ البُرْكَانِ وَالْحِمَمُ
8. Between his strong ribs lies
A great heart, for the guiles of fate it yields not.
٨. بَيْنَ الصِّلابِ الْحَوَانِي مِنْ أَضَالِعِهِ
قَلْبٌ كَبِيرٌ لِرَيْبِ الدَّهْرِ لا يَجِمُ
9. It is gentle with mirth, but if adversity jests,
The vicissitudes of fate withdraw, frustrated.
٩. يَلِينُ رِفقاً فَإِنْ جَافَى وَصُكَّ بِهِ
صَرفُ الزَّمَانِ تَوَلَّى وَهْوَ مُنْهَشِمُ
10. The perfect of build, broad of chest, prominent,
Straight of stature, slender of waist, erect.
١٠. مُتَمَّمُ الأَسْرِ رَحْبُ الصَّدْرِ بَارِزُهُ
مَقَوَّمُ الأَزْرِ طَاوِي الْكَشْحِ مُنْهَضِمُ
11. What a figure whose sight fills the eyes,
Destroying them! Below it lie the ruins.
١١. فَيَا لَهُ هَيْكَلاً مِلْءَ الْعُيُونِ سَطَا
بِهِ الرَّدَى فَاحْتَوَتْهُ دُونَهَا الحرمُ