1. Your journey to Yemen embarks and returns
And the blessed earth obscures then reveals Mahmoud

2. We enjoyed your proximity, though souls departed with it
In your absence, longing and farewells persist

3. To you alone belongs the fertile valley and its Nile
And to your Lord belong sanctification and praise

4. So the fighter for your cause in the land, aid him
With a caller to you among the servants proclaiming

5. The kingdoms witnessed your victory and emulated you
In the east, non-Arabs and eloquent speakers

6. O best pillar of the caliphate, verily what
You show is evidence true to Egypt

7. And most dutiful of the caliph’s supporters, his judgement
In matters and governance, you advise sincerely

8. You pleased him with your precious praise, just as
You pleased him with your pledged loyalty

9. And you answered his call, divinely guided
With time peaceful and horizons vast

10. And you entered the capital delighted
With the blessed peace treaty and fine conditions

11. Hail your might, soldiers and ships
And cities, fortresses and palaces

12. Bearing your famed traits
Which you beautified, and your radiance endowed

13. How many restless souls steeled themselves by them
And prisoners escaped, wounded were healed

14. They recalled your grandfather’s era in your rule
His footsteps met your praised works

15. They forgot the victories you hid
For a time, then proclaimed to Egypt

16. Fruits of hardship and noble generosity
And results of that sincere wisdom

17. Tell us of the orient you empowered
With this sweet truthful discourse

18. And explain to us the paths to safety, after
The enemy tired of recruitment and arming

19. What did the caring neighbor reap
Who spent the night while the admirable provider

20. The protectors neglected the predators and fled
Until their predators were permitted and they were preyed upon

21. And they weakened until when they repelled harm
From themselves, their canes, waves and wind repelled them

22. And they separated into factions, a crime
Erased only by spilled blood

23. The cities and villages were left to their people
With dispersal and commotion

24. So every garrison is targeted
And every monotheist’s heart wounded

25. None remains but helpless stragglers
As though amidst wolves for slaughter

26. Crowned with evil, adorned
The crowning and decor did not avail him

27. He walks on the ruins of citadels gloating
At the blood of their guards while fallen

28. How many mosques clamored with what his troops looted
And how many tombs cried for help

29. No brigands passed but were horrified
By an annihilating army, outstanding and gallant

30. As though it were a bird aflame
As though it spilled torrents flooding

31. The caliph’s cousin saved a failing nation
Whose resolve weakened and spirits narrowed

32. Misfortunes overwhelmed it, so if Noah came
To rescue it, even Noah would fail

33. You aided Sa’eed al-Dawla ibn Khalimah
At opportunities he could seize for it

34. The enemies contested the kingdom after
Malice against it they wickedly gathered

35. They looted it then fought amongst themselves, so he repelled them
From that precious plunder, driving them away

36. He rid a sister of Andalusia of a horde
Lying in wait greedily for the remnants

37. Wrothful is the tyrant’s punishment when he sees
An aggressor, yet is forgiving to the penitent

38. Ethics of the mighty, merciful victor
As if after the openings, further openings

39. Humiliating the enemies, fulfilling promises to adversaries
And being just, pleasing even the stingy

40. If they dispatch those meager armies
Then to the place of their sending off

41. And the grudges of tyrants endure, even if after
Jesus another Jesus comes for remedy

42. Nations assail nations, and tomorrow
The thrones of their kings will collapse and fall

43. There was one of great might who arbitrated between them
Before whom many a tyrant bowed in dread

44. Wakeful in the Balkans, quenching their fire
And the one who kindled it, blazing flames

45. If they obeyed him as was customary, there would be
Upon the earth only obedience and devotion

46. My Master, the campaign exhausted me, and hope
For your people through this campaign revived me

47. I sang the heroes of the caliphate, after
It nearly lamented for them - how I lamented!

48. For you I compose, praising you and your family
Poetry illuminated by mentioning you, its fragrance diffusing