1. Do you see the crescent whose radiant brow
Illuminates the night and its secrets now?

2. Its light has torn the veil so the watcher spies
All that was hidden behind from his eyes.

3. Or have you seen the sovereign in his pride
When the morning star's beams light up his side?

4. The sword flashes bright, its blade shines anew,
Its sheen proclaims that glory is its due.

5. Blessed indeed is the gentle fruit that thrives
On the chaste tree whose branches are alive

6. With pleasure - what excuse for it not to have
A taste as sweet as pure wine that you quaff?

7. Today hope spreads wide its wings for all
Whose dreams sped not their hearts ere night did fall.

8. Gone is the despair that gripped each breast
And chained the joys that were its former guest.

9. Doubt's darkness in your regard is no more
Now certainty's dawn shines brighter than before.

10. A moon you rose in kingdoms' skies and there
Beauty kept vigil while rhythm filled the air.

11. On your natal day to glorious sire
Clung every wish and heart's fondest desire.

12. For the noblest born to parents most blessed
Came you, auspicious child, welcomed with zest.

13. Your lovely brow is like a jewel set
In place of hyacinth in a coronet.

14. O lord of steeds, lord of steeds, in the fray
Your sword will serve its lord and drive away

15. The thrusts against him coming from afar,
Eager for battle as your hands are.

16. Crown him, for crowns honour the honored brow;
Pride of the proud is to adorn it now.

17. You would ride desires with purpose strong,
Taming with might the campo's breadth and length,

18. Prudence reining your success, zeal speeding on
Your efforts rightly, in journeying and halting.

19. Now glory tosses its forelock in joy,
Freedom wild in its movements without alloy.

20. You have risen to defend lofty things,
To protect the glory each victory brings.

21. The lion fiercely guards its captured prey,
And shields its young in the den where they stay.

22. Now when the clouds rise up and soft winds blow
From my lady's lute, gentle, trembling, low,

23. Let the lightning know, the thunder declare,
That your sword arm assists your friends with care.

24. Let noble deeds be done. Set your place
In the honored east's untroubled space.

25. Let the brave knight spur his steed and wheel
To the field, challenging the rival's steel.

26. Let the high minarets fear your approach;
Dread the wastes where your long ranks encroach.

27. Or the hills where your warriors were bred,
Suckled by you and by triumph fed.

28. Let bounty's realm rejoice that you have come
To live in the mansion that will be your home.

29. Free your thoughts from sloth, wake invention up;
Let art and craft fill your lyre with life and hope.

30. We are a flock of soaring, joyful praise
Come to greet you, the garden that each phrase

31. Yearns towards - how those words bend and sway
With longing for this great, this glorious day!

32. Many a platform bowed down with delight
And desire to uphold you, an honored knight.

33. Many a muscled steed offered up its back
To carry you forward in each attack.

34. Many a scabbard whispered to its sword,
Hoping your advance might here be spurred.

35. Many a shaft flexed its smooth length, and turned
Its neck expectant where glory burned.

36. Many a lance quivered with metaled keen,
Thought of piercing the breast of war's dark mien.

37. And Abdullah's servant - his motions show
Wisdom, calm judgment, and effortless flow.

38. You did not think it enough to be pledged
To guard his person; no, you also hedged

39. Your word with that of a second beside,
So the prince would live; his star would abide.

40. You let go the trusted one born, but then
Reaped him again, molded by you with men.

41. He whose praise as dew descending would be
Too brief, whose might scorned man's mortality.

42. And if I wished on his tomb sweet water,
I would say: Let fall your bounty's store.

43. Pleasure lies in the age and us, its heirs -
All swayed by our age, in bondage to years.

44. He prospered all: high, low, far, near,
But above all he favored the virtuous here.