1. The breeze of her land passed me, igniting passion,
And called me, so I visited it enthusiastically.

2. A paradise that inspires life and illuminates
The soul's rust with splendor and order.

3. I visited it submissively, with the humiliation of love
And the breaking of orphans within me.

4. I wandered through its verdant gardens,
Right, left, and straight ahead.

5. There were two meadows in that garden
Sheltered by the breeze of Khuzam.

6. They strode by while the stars slept
And the eyes of the flowers sought sleep.

7. They passed my place so a breeze blew,
Igniting my sorrow and passion's pyre.

8. I imagined their gait and shied away,
Fearing, on my walk, to lose propriety.

9. I listened closely to extinguish my fervor
And quench the thirst of my innermost heart.

10. They were two accents of the East that tore
My heart asunder and stirred the slept.

11. One was Syrian, flowing with eloquence,
The other Egyptian, streaming with harmony.

12. Wisdom with gentleness, grace with reason,
Guided, it seemed, by inspiration.

13. They inclined toward a pearl that sent forth songs
And chose to stay beside it.

14. Then the daughter of Egypt cast off her veil
And the daughter of Damascus removed her covering.

15. I imagined the full moon had split
Though I used to doubt such visions.

16. So I hid myself and clung
To my shadows, shrouding myself in darkness.

17. They thought that place was empty,
With no watcher to fear or critic to blame.

18. So there passed between them a wondrous conversation,
Cooling to the passionate yet peaceful.

19. The daughter of Egypt said to her sister,
“You are a nation that refused to unite.”

20. True spoke the poet who said of you
Words that awakened us sleepers:

21. "They rode the sea, crossed the Pole, and went beyond
The Nile's streams, plunging into the dark.

22. They withstand tribulations in pursuit of living
And endure strife's arrows for struggle."

23. The gazelle of Damascus rose up and said,
“Some of this raises Syria too high.”

24. You excel in every goal, attaining
The utmost in all things you desire.

25. Damascus and steadfastness are like forts
Despite misfortunes, enduringly entwined.

26. Your mother is ours, having suckled us
With her love though we reject weaning.

27. We settled near you, praising
Your affection, dew, and ribbons.

28. We lodged on your land, finding
A fertile home and noble people.

29. We mingled in your lands wherever we wished,
Meeting openness and smiles.

30. We drank from your Nile, forgetting
Lebanon's waters of cascades and clouds.

31. We drew from your light, writing
And finding our scattering and order.

32. We recited the verses of Shawqi and Sabri
Seeing what dazzles minds.

33. They filled the East with wisdom and established
In the folds of souls wherever they dwelled.

34. They sang the two dawns, leaving no
Misfortune confused or planets astray.

35. They restored the days of Al-Rashid and Al-`Abbas
So they shepherded them, even with swords.

36. The daughter of Egypt gestured and said,
“You have left no speech for Egypt.”

37. You are the most capable and resolute people,
Rising to the heights with determination.

38. Your land has revealed stars on every horizon,
One after another, in succession.

39. It withstands calamities, does not evade,
And walks above the summit without fear.

40. We heard your Khalil and thus heard
A poet who humbled composure and stood tall.

41. We aspired to his stature so we sat
Broken, our pens shattered.

42. He threaded Syria, Iraq, and Egypt,
His verses the imam guiding the way.

43. Prose walked submissively, and poetry walked,
Handing the reins to Khalil.

44. In him, the Nile's master saw our view,
So he awarded him that medal―

45. A decoration honoring verse, adorning
The flag of victory, gracing the banners.

46. We hoisted the flag under him,
Celebrating, increasing his honor.

47. Such is the wondrous conversation that occurred,
Inciting composure and saddening the penitent.

48. I have dropped it though I violated within it
Those who see transmission as dishonor and sacrilege―

49. For some transmission is lawful
While some transmission is forbidden.

50. The two girls spoke true. If only my people
Were as they said, loving and uniting!

51. We need all that strengthens our laws
And binds our ties.

52. Make Khalil's celebration pureness
Between Egypt and her sister, and peace.

53. And ask God to perpetuate upon us
The blossoming, smiling reign of Abbas.

54. He is our hopes and guardian of our sanctuary.
May God support his rule and make it last!