1. The keys to conquest herald its continuance,
A kingdom prepared for you as its heir.

2. In the charge of the unseen are things you witness,
Lit by dawn and dusk vying to guide it.

3. Your love for it grows though you do not make
Its absence remote, however many visitors suffer from overstaying.

4. The Imam of Guidance has bedecked his noble steed
As if its embellishments are its bridle straps.

5. A clarity covers the plain from its lights
Filling time with it, its far horizons illuminated.

6. It has led creation, from afar and near,
To the Caliph in submission thronging about him.

7. So the West has from the favor of its rule
What the East has of blessings for those hopeful of it.

8. No horizon but the furthest extremities of it
And if it crosses swords in His religion from its nearby.

9. There is consensus on his Caliphate
So the present company of people are obedient to him whether far or near.

10. Each nation answers the summons maturely
As the caller gave voice in goodly manner.

11. By virtue of our Master the Truest Claimant
Upon the apex of every path to triumph from the start.

12. The good tidings Songhai yielded up its reins
To the hands of an Imam unfailing in his righteous works.

13. In religion lies the means to stand by it
So the world hastened to concur with him.

14. To care for its sanctities is his duty before God in leadership
And God suffices as his Keeper.

15. He let loose his mercy so its fellow dissidents dispersed
Around the harsh-hearted with steely purpose.

16. Its regions pulse with signs like gushing clouds surge with showers.
And he grew certain the Truth would conquer him

17. When he saw his authority manifest in his claims.
The Righteous Mahdi no sooner rose spreading

18. Guidance but night enshrouded its unfolding.
He sought victory over Rome in his denominations—

19. Can he not see that from their accord?
Neither ravine nor lifeline counsels him

20. Nor does life with what saves speak familiarly to him.
God’s wisdom is nothing but flawless,

21. Inasmuch as injustice occasions it, justice negates it.
Though night may mantle the horizons gloomily,

22. Behind it shines the light of dawn that hides it.
To God belongs bounty then to Yahya without cease

23. Upon mankind for what will make his efforts thrive.
Dominions everywhere made up his war booty,

24. Monarchs one and all his partisans.
Good fortune counters on his behalf whoever opposes him—

25. What blades of his, his columns lofted high?
God established power for him and propped him up—

26. Who undermines him with God as his builder?
To rule by the Chosen Guiding Friend no glory boasts

27. Without initiator or satisfied approver.
Eh, from inborn eminence he gained it, never claimed

28. By contender nor vied for by envier.
It suffices that Abū Ḥafṣ his ancestor

29. And preceding victory-helper God suffices as his supply.
An Imam of justice courted by his humility

30. With the star in its heights no peer to him.
High-stepping the sphere up past the celestial orbits

31. So who sublimes him singly in his lofty places?
Since he stood for religion and the world, protecting them,

32. His allies rose against unbelief suppressing its paths.
Conquest is third in carrying out his desire—

33. Resolve its first and intention its second.
Passionate for war yet his sword ever

34. Is wet with noble Roman blood by his hand’s spilling.
Whenever enemies’ banners loom into view

35. Minds fail before craven hearts proceeding.
And if he countermands driving them back divine decree is his

36. To their defeat—a covering enfolds him.
By your honor, fairness and grace are stirred

37. If wrath is provoked then patience smoothes it.
He hurls unions of supple and coral verse,

38. Lavish in its prose and rhymes.
Its necklaces pass hands for days

39. Till nights are adornment of its jewels.
His epoch gilds what immortalizes him—

40. Among his wishes lies having his oeuvre recited.
In him strange wonders so should wonders return

41. Surely wonders return to close on the likes of him.
If the lofty excused me I would claim dawn’s spell

42. To it beyond its charms the poetry of youth.
Alas, among princes is no peer to him,

43. However they may pattern themselves as his copiers.
Poetry was ennobled only when ennobled by

44. Composing his glory or hearing his elite.
What heights can praise reach from any ruler

45. When its ultimate ends fall short of its aspirations?
Time donned fine garb but has doffed it

46. Its situation grave as are its situations.