1. قالوا نَجاشِيُّ البُحَيرَةِ نالَهُ

    كَرَمُ العَزيزِ بِرُتبَةِ المُتَمايِزِ

    They said: the Negus of al-Buhayra has been graced

    By the Mighty One’s generosity, with the rank of the Distinguished.

  2. فَأَحبَبتَهُم رَتبَ العَلاءِ قَليلَةً

    في حَقٍّ مَن لِلفَضلِ أَفضَلَ حائِزِ

    So you loved them; ranks of eminence are scant

    For one who is the foremost possessor of merit.

  3. لَكِنَّها وافَت تُبَشِّرُ بِالَّتي

    تَتلو لَها القَريبَ الناجِزِ

    But it came, bringing glad tidings of the one

    That follows it, near at hand and fulfilled [wording unclear].

  4. فَاِبشِر وَسَرابا الحُسَينِ وَسَدُّ وَسِرُّ

    نَحوَ المَعالي في الطَريقِ الفائِزِ

    So rejoice—and a mirage, al-Husayn, and a barrier, and a secret [wording unclear]—

    Toward lofty heights, along the path of success.