1. Are these mountains darkened by dust,
Or stars guarding the green land?

2. An awe inspiring beauty, smooth and radiant,
As if its vastness were clouded skies.

3. It appears solidly fortified,
Yet pleasing to palaces.

4. Its unique structure is odd,
Would the noblest of necks bear an enclosure?

5. Were it hosted among assemblies,
Even Sana'a would be humbled.

6. May its affairs be directed by Sindbad,
While the Hijaz bears witness.

7. The foundations of Egypt's pyramids would shake,
And the brilliance of Ctesiphon's arch would fade.

8. Its glory is founded on piety,
As lauded by ancients.

9. Filled with heroes of struggle and its gloom,
With the blaze of gunpowder and tumult.

10. Its formidable cannons will not be fired,
Unless the dusty hills tremble at their blast.

11. None could endure the load,
Except by its will, did the green land carry it.

12. Do not approach the green land, for its missiles
Are aimed, and you are within range of the dusty hills.

13. If you refuse, expect lightning bolts,
Not just showers to extinguish their flames.

14. They will come when the land is too narrow,
Only to recede when the earth is vacant.

15. A lion will confront you with its equals,
Fighting them at noon when it is dark.

16. It is protected on all sides,
Its sublime deeds shielded.

17. The Motto forgot its pact,
And the Emblem refused turning red, so it is dyed with blood.

18. A judge who, when witnessing battle against an absent foe,
Still passes judgement - even if it will not hold.

19. He tells stories of all battles,
While his opponents are still foes.

20. He is my patron in battle, but his rule
Is over the righteous.

21. They are accustomed to arms, so if tasked
With discarding them, it would prove difficult.

22. They were provoked until a greeting between them
Became an honor if they so willed.

23. They employ death as a wish and purpose,
As if part of their being.

24. A people who, when grasping rifles, lunge
Recklessly shedding blood copiously.

25. Brave horsemen in the heat of frightful events,
Advance uphill though swords are thirsty.

26. Daring ones whose coats of mail
Are white, not rust or stained.

27. They arranged their rifles systematically
And fought with flames, not pebbles or embers.

28. Keen observers angry when weapons grumble,
Quieting them until satisfied.

29. Steadfast charging steeds they lead
By resolve, not pulling or slackening the reins.

30. When their neighing rumbles,
The living are shocked by blasts.

31. They subdued the winds to convey them
Should the terrain prevent passage.

32. They stormed you galloping upon them, then wheeled
Swimmingly while your blood trickled.

33. Wearing black, they signaled battle,
The black night outshone the white.

34. With one voice they resembled each other,
Before the echo returned.

35. Uniform in form,
Of one spirit said the wise.

36. The rhymes of ignorance arranged their swords
In a composition made brilliant by order.

37. They admitted defeat while preserving valor,
Merely overwhelmed by his light.

38. A generation of French marked by decadence,
Yet zealous in guarding Islam.

39. Would our land shake with such trembling
And destruction were he not a foundation?

40. We name it 'the system', how many
Thousands of stabs has it systematically organized?

41. The hordes of French are like sand
Blown about, or like clouds of dust.

42. Tell the encroaching French,
Our lions have gored before whatever they dare.

43. But these are passed illusions,
Whose interpretations will be revealed in good time.

44. They mistook heedlessness for folly and took advantage,
Deeming people equal.

45. Restraining the reins was disgraceful on our part,
Though they are stupid.

46. Were it said to be gracious,
They proved unworthy, ignoble.

47. If before invasion, another
We would have said the motives were boldness and resolve.

48. They advance not out of courage, rather
The coward proceeds except in war.

49. Upon them is the burden of carrying and sharpening swords,
While pride and nobility are ours.

50. Our pride is what gunpowder produces, not
What tools and desires yield.

51. He who exceeds his bounds will meet
The same fate as the misguided fool who mocking earned derision.

52. Your senses are frozen, yet shall melt
In the fires of havoc, as if wise.

53. We disdained your tyranny, avoiding
Killing you as you lack equals.

54. You tossed into the sea embers of your rage,
And blew. Is this wisdom?

55. Our hands have grown weary, and from your mouths
Blows - miserable blowing and wailing.

56. We will make you taste the water of swords mixed
With the blood of victims, as if silver nectar.

57. The Prince in his forbearance thought
To deter the likes of you through grace.

58. But now in his might and fierce resolve,
Both living and dead rightfully dread him.

59. This is Abu Al-Abbas whose reign
Has honored the green and dusty lands.

60. The restorer whom wisdom has revived
Religion and life - exemplars.

61. Reviver of knowledge after its decline,
Annihilator of what enemies introduced.

62. This supported by soldiers - revered legions -
Guided under policies of enlightened rule.

63. Judicious, prudent, complete, glorious, eloquent, gentle fatherly aide giver.
Bestowing generously.

64. And graciousness, might, bravery,
Discernment, perception, and cunning.

65. Bravery with composure, valor,
Succor, protection, and loyalty.

66. Perfectly combined, herein is the date
Of his work and prior excellence.

67. Frightening both literate and illiterate alike,
Each aspect has tidings.

68. On the 15th of Ramadan constructed
A great work - lofty and sublime!

69. Blood, prosper, delight, triumph, open, block,
Judge days however you desire!

70. O you who sees the unseen consequences
Minds cannot fathom or discern.

71. How can words match a eulogy of you
When will poets describe you adequately?

72. Eulogies follow well-trodden paths
Yet glorifying you is the untrodden way.

73. Minds are humbled and fail,
The eloquent and inarticulate equal.

74. I devote them to you, if you wished to rebuff
The green and dusty lands would intercede for them.

75. There is no limit but what we see of your glory,
Though things all have limits.