1. تخْشى الصَّوارمُ بأسَهُ

    ويَهابُ حُجَّتَهُ الخَصيمُ

    The sharp swords fear his might,

    and his adversary dreads his argument.

  2. ويَوَدُّ لُطْفَ خِلالِه

    ماءُ الغَمامَةِ والنَّسيمُ

    And the gentleness of his character is coveted

    by the cloud's water and the breeze.

  3. بحْرُ الفَضائلِ والفَواضِلِ

    جُودُ لُجَّتِهِ عَميمُ

    A sea of virtues and benefactions,

    the bounty of his depths embraces all.

  4. يحْيا به الفَدْمُ الجَهولُ

    ويُوسِرُ المُقْوي العَديمُ

    Through him the dull-witted ignoramus comes to life,

    and the destitute, penniless man grows wealthy.

  5. فصِلاتُهُ الوفْرُ الجَزيلُ

    وفي بني الجَهْلِ العُلُومُ

    For his gifts are abundant riches,

    and knowledge among the sons of ignorance.

  6. فَيُقِرُّ بالتَّفْضيلِ خِرْقُ

    الحَيِّ والحَبْرُ الحكيمُ

    Thus his superiority is acknowledged by the shrewd man

    of the tribe, and by the learned sage.

  7. دَجْنٌ صَدوقُ الشَّيْمِ سَّحَّاحٌ

    إذا خَوَتِ النُّجومُ

    A raincloud that fulfills the rain-watcher's hopes, pouring torrents

    when the stars fail to bring rain.

  8. يَسْقي البِلادَ فنَبْتُهُ الأعْمارُ

    لا الثَّعْدُ الرَّهيمُ

    He waters the lands, and his crop is lives,

    not tender shoots moistened by drizzle.

  9. يُبْدي حِماهُ ونَصْرَهُ

    ولجودِهِ مُخْفٍ كَتومُ

    He makes his protection and aid known,

    but keeps his generosity hidden and secret.

  10. وتخافُ غَرْبَ حُسامِهِ

    حُمْس الفوارس والقُرومُ

    And the keen edge of his sword is feared

    by fierce horsemen and chieftains.

  11. تَشْقى بهِ الكُومُ العِشارُ

    وحَظُّ عافيهِ النَّعيمُ

    The high-humped she-camels, ten months pregnant, suffer through him,

    and his petitioner's lot is bliss.

  12. قاسٍ إذا اشْتَجَرَ الرِّماحُ

    وعند نُصْرَتِهِ رَحيمُ

    Harsh when the spears interlock,

    and merciful when lending his aid.

  13. تاجُ المُلوكِ وأحْمَدُ

    الخَيْراتِ والماضي العَزومُ

    The crown of kings, most praiseworthy

    for good deeds, decisive and resolute.

  14. ثَبْتُ المَوَدَّةِ لا القَطوعُ

    ولا المَلَولُ ولا السَّؤومُ

    Steadfast in affection, not one who severs ties,

    neither easily bored nor easily wearied.

  15. في حالِ عُسْرَتِهِ الجَوادُ

    وعند غَضْبَتِهِ الحَليمُ

    In his time of hardship, generous,

    and in his anger, forbearing.

  16. في العَزْمِ عاصفَةُ الهُبوبِ

    وفي تأنِّيهِ يَسومُ

    In resolve, a gale in full blast,

    and in his deliberation, Mount Yasum.

  17. تَخْزى شَياطينُ الكُفاةِ

    بهِ إذا جُهِلَ الرُّسومُ

    The demons among able men are put to shame

    by him when the established rules are not understood.

  18. فإذا تَطاوَلَ مارِدٌ

    فشِهابُ حُجَّتِه رَجومُ

    So if a rebellious demon grows overbold,

    then the meteor of his argument pelts him.

  19. فَحَمى نَقيبَتَهُ المُهيْمنُ

    حينَ يُفْطِرُ أَو يَصومُ

    So may the Guardian protect his soul,

    whether he breaks his fast or fasts,

  20. وهَناهُ طُولُ بَقائِهِ

    ما حانَ صُبْحٌ أو صَريمُ

    and may his long life bring him joy,

    as long as dawn or night arrives.

  21. وَدَّ القَبائلُ كُلُّها

    ولِكلِّها فَخْرٌ قَديمُ

    All the tribes wished—

    though each has ancient glory—

  22. حَسَداً على مَجْدِ الوزيرِ

    بأنَّ كُلَّهُمُ تَميمُ

    out of envy for the minister's glory,

    that they were all Tamim.