1. O son of Lebanon, return to Lebanon
Descending from the most precious place

2. Egypt sends gifts to it while it is a gift to her
There is reciprocity between good neighbors

3. It is no wonder, with sincerity in hearts
As seen from the give and take between neighbors

4. Your long absence saddened friends but
There is no estrangement between the two countries

5. A single homeland, united by the echo
To defend in the word of homelands

6. So visit those edifices and stand where
Those who love us and are intimate with us stood

7. And ask them for more, for their strength increases
From the competition in loving and sacrificing for her

8. Let there be no one but the faithful and devoted servant
Who helps her with the power of evidence

9. A nation has rushed to you so protect
It and bring closer its far-reaching hopes

10. Seek goodness wherever possible
And guard that sanctuary from aggression

11. Take sound advice over what
The conscience suffers without its guidance

12. That is a pool every soul would sacrifice itself for
So sacrifice yourself for it before your tongue

13. Defend it against antagonists and counter
False arguments with convincing proofs

14. Many words are molded from a melted heart
Melted by the heat of faith

15. I cannot advise you, how can one advise a wise man
When lesser ones have offered counsel

16. O healer of bodies, glad tidings whether you
Have recovered or promised the health of bodies

17. O orator who makes time upright
And disciplines youthful whims

18. O author who communicates to souls
The most subtle meanings with elegant diction

19. O friend whose absence friends find unbearable
For meeting him is the epitome of absence

20. Time’s estrangement in souls was undone
By a hand for this time

21. Every chatterbox gossiped about
What science had created, till East met West

22. And lovers were able to meet
Like the meeting of eyelids

23. Distance in space was removed
Except what remains of Gardens that were promised Gardens

24. An eye filled with care and tenderness
Accompanied your friendly manner

25. So when you come to Beirut and wander
Through signs of its spellbinding beauty

26. In gardens it might resemble—though small—
The eternal gardens that were promised

27. Then tour a hill where two proud poets
Once rested under the shade of channeled water

28. One followed the other though both were
Peers in age yet poles apart in type

29. They endured life’s sufferings
And settled in as they greyed with age

30. Salute Elias, salute Tanios where the two
Luminaries lie buried side by side like neighbors

31. Revive their hearts that have stilled
After voices echoed from their hearts

32. Then air out their tombs with a fragrant breeze
From Egypt's flowering meadow

33. Say: By the right of loyalty we are not forgotten
For only beasts suffer estrangement

34. So listen to our talk which may console you
And relieve the anxiety of your exile

35. Our deepest consolation is, do you
Feel what we feel, you who understand?

36. In your hearts is love still smoldering?
Then heal it with our burning tears

37. O Nicolas, live for eloquence, poetry and knowledge with convincing rhetoric
May we never be deprived of your guiding light and melodious voice