1. A morning whose doves did not sing their songs
And whose dawns did not wake the sleepers;

2. You are the fever if a neighbor has made peace,
And you are the serpent if rain has failed the living.

3. You are the guest house if fate has gone awry,
And you are the brave warrior if the coward has stayed at home.

4. When al-Afwan descends upon the son of Muhammad,
Neither is the land barren nor are affairs contentious.

5. So his towers will enrich one impoverished by them,
And his battlements will protect one surrendered by the tribes.

6. A youth who shows victory and triumph to heroes
Yet conceals his munificence and bounty.

7. One who can alleviate poverty through his generosity
And confront tyrants through his sagacity.

8. Who forbids all disgrace that debases a man
While commanding noble deeds and merits.

9. Stern towards heinous sins but paying them no heed,
While staying alert and awake for glory and renown.

10. Smiling at misfortunes, which pass like reflections,
Yet lowering his gaze from scandal and evil.

11. When the eminent number their pride and glories
And the glorious attain triumphs upon triumphs

12. Among them you find a minister of sagacity
And many a predecessor surpassed by his successor

13. Abu Ja'far, pillar of the caliphate, one who
All present and absent admit has merit.

14. So his strong resolutions continue to prevail
As long as the spears and swords retain their sharp edges.