1. When the dark night departed fleeing the twilight,
And the radiant dawn galloped cleaving the daybreak,

2. The stars raced to the land of the west
Like lamps in the hand of one hastening to win the race,

3. The dawn began to block the horizon
Spreading beautifully in well-arranged formation,

4. As if it and the darkness of night were wrestling
And its vanguard appeared on the horizon,

5. A white flag fluttered when the sun wove it
From its poured light made of thin silk,

6. And it shone with the crown of light, unveiled,
Dragging the tail of white radiant beams,

7. The nightingale in the garden trilled joyously above the branch
Stirring the chirp and the leaves in the foliage,

8. A gazelle rose startled, redolent of musk
Wandering intoxicated in rapture and passion,

9. Musk is spilt blood but has no meaning
Whether congealed or uncongealed,

10. I examined it but it refused what was once congealed
Until I knew I am the brother of the clot,

11. It stood in the garden giving us its cheer
From the wine of speech or the wine of eyes,

12. And the sun in modesty made of proper etiquette
Drew above us a white cloud like a page,

13. And screened us off with just enough for the garden
Veiling herself from us without leaning to one side,

14. She wanted this to raise an illusion for her beholder
And the beholder of love is like the planet Venus,

15. Blessed are you O sun of the sky, for you have
Acted like those of utmost grace and manners!

16. And I stood in the garden while the yellow rose seated us
When the branches leaned toward an embrace,

17. The flowers spread what remains of life
Leaving no sickness in one bursting with health,

18. We had started pleasant chitchat in the morning
When the mouth of companionship smiled revealing teeth,

19. And love in its gentleness started conversing with me
Restoring my soul and what had passed of my vigor,

20. Between words and winks of his eyebrows,
And between amorous glances, tilts of the neck and swing,

21. We sat in that garden happily free of sorrow or discontent
And remained thus until the evening not feeling the time pass,

22. The sun disappeared into the belly of the west
And the army of darkness arrived in the twilight,

23. Where the crescent like a golden bracelet
Adorned the wrist of the west in a carnelian sunset,

24. Or it was the sword erect and brandished
But more beautiful as the full moon rising,

25. Its rise reminded me of the superiority
Of the one who left no chance for a competitor,

26. The full moon of Algiers, who was its ruler
And won precedence and succession in it,

27. Who ruled it with the beauty of justice and wisdom
With the best composure, not foolishness and turmoil,

28. None but a manifestation was created from his essence of beauty
For he stood perfect in his make and manners,

29. The most noble, the most eloquent, unique in his time
The brilliant, the literary, the judicious, the courteous,

30. Muhammad, of excellent qualities and traits
Pearl of praise, in him all merits combine,

31. Lord of the forehead whose light like the dawn
Radiantly beams each morn cleaving the dark,

32. Lord of the morning prayer, bright of face is his dawn
I seek refuge for him in God of mankind and daybreak,

33. In his face flows the water of modesty so for him
Being veiled was never a barrier to union,

34. Lord of generosity, who rains gifts freely
And of munificence like clouds heavy with rain,

35. Stalwart of valor, no rival challenges him
But falls from the blow of shock and dismay,

36. Of excellent patience, he is calm in his tranquility
So was never anxious in the turns of fate,

37. No sooner did the king of the jungle see him
Than the beasts of the wild died of fright,

38. Lord of eloquence built on wisdom
My brother of righteousness and clear logic,

39. When he speaks, pearls spill scattered
So blessed are the listeners and eavesdroppers!

40. Lord of argument, intelligence, sweetness of manner
And subtlety, grace in nature and deeds,

41. His reputation is fragrant as musk spilled forth
And musk is the finest perfume with scent,

42. With glory he trod upon the heights with steps
That shine as he firmly planted them without slip,

43. Who can equal him in honor and nobility?
Only an ignorant one heading to ruin,

44. The truth judges that none can compare with him
And the words of one claiming parity are void,

45. I have praised his merits that enhanced
In a string of priceless verses well-arranged,

46. Organized from the gems of words, harmonious
Combining words, meaning, concordant and consistent,

47. Splendor flows on the illuminated brow
With decisiveness, a dress not substandard,

48. In praising the praised he rejoices happily
For praise is the finest necklace to be adorned,

49. May his envier remain eternally vexed in fury
And his detractor remain in utter misery,

50. The birds have not trilled over the branches joyfully
Where the sun of dawn rises high on the horizon,

51. And where the son of Fathallah continues praising him
All day and in darkness and dusk,