1. O tongue of the Arabs, why not
Become a flowing spring of eloquence

2. Enchanting minds, though by
The sorcery of meanings, not magic spells

3. And grant my heart an illumination
That shines from my tongue

4. So it sheds on the night a light
As if a dual moon

5. And so the nation sees good news
In the gloom of this age

6. Teach me speech like a river
Quenching the earth of desires

7. That champions the clear truth
With words like spears

8. That gives the wronged a ship
Sailing the sea of humiliation

9. Teach me words like a lance
Against the tyrants, a protector

10. So that the word seems dreadful
And an arm of might and glory

11. So it sees terrible power
In eloquence like a blade

12. Teach me thought that is free
And rebellious, owing nothing

13. So thought wanders pure
As if I were in gardens

14. Culling their sweetest fruits
From fine, beautiful structures

15. I do not seek knowledge in words
But like my spirit and my being

16. And a life of blissful joy
Oh, that has no end!

17. Do you see in this world a beauty
Like the grace found in eloquence?!