صغ لابنِ لطف اللَه باشا مدحةً
غراءَ مثل صفاته الغراءِ
Listen to the son of God's kindness, Pasha, praise him
With virtue like his own virtue
وانثر له حلل الثناء فإنه
شهمٌ يليقُ به أجل ثناء
And bestow on him the garments of praise, for he
Is generous, fitting for him is the highest praise
وافى إلى بيروت وهي كئيبةٌ
فجلا الهمومَ بكفهِ البيضاء
He came to grieving Beirut
And relieved anxieties with his fair hand
وأقامَ يُظهر من ضروب ذكائهِ
ما حارَ فيه ربُّ كل ذكاءِ
He made evident aspects of his intelligence
At which the lord of all intelligence was confused
جمع القلوبَ على الإخاء وقبلها
كانت عبيدَ تخالف الأهواءِ
He brought hearts together in brotherhood when before
They were slaves, contrary to desires
إذا شاد للفقراءِ أمنعَ معقلٍ
تحميهِ كل خريدةٍ غيداءِ
When he built for the poor an unassailable fortress
Protected by every brave warrior
والحسنُ بالإِحسانِ يكمل فضلهُ
ما أحسنَ الإِحسانَ من حسناءِ
Goodness is made complete by his kindness
How good is kindness from a beauty!
شرفٌ إلى كرمٍ إلى أدبٍ إلى
ظرفٍ إلى بأسٍ إلى استحياء
Nobility, to generosity, to courtesy, to
Refinement, to valor, to modesty
سبحانَ من قسَمَ الحظوظَ على الورى
إذ خصَّهُ منها بخيرِ عطاءِ
Glory to Him who apportioned lots among creation
When He singled him out for the best of gifts
فإِذا دعوتَ إلى السخاءِ وجدته
جادت يداهُ بصادق الآلاءِ
So if you call on him for generosity, you will find
His hands generously bestowing sincere favors
وإِذا دعوتَ إلى النزالِ رأَيتهُ
فوق المطَهَّمِ فارسَ الهيجاءِ
And if you call him to battle, you will see him
Atop the well-trained, valiant steed
يا من نشيدُ بذكرهِ وحديثُهُ
سارت به الركبانُ في البيداءِ
O you whom we praise in speech and whose
Conversation has delighted travelers in the desert!
عشقتك بيروت فأنت حبيبها
المأمولُ في السراءِ والضرّاءِ
Beirut loves you, for you are her beloved,
The hoped-for one in ease and hardship
ولذاك واليها حباكَ هديةً
ذا الكاسَ رمزَ مودَّةٍ وصفاءِ
And so, her governor, you were a gift of love to her
This cup, a symbol of affection and serenity
عرفانَ ما صنعت يداكَ من الندى
لا زلتَ خدنَ المجدِ والعلياءِ
In gratitude for what your hands have brought of dew
You still grasp glory and supremacy
