إنّما الشّعْرُ رغبةٌ وسُؤالُ

ورجاءٌ تدْنو بهِ الآمالُ

Poetry is but a yearning and a question,

And a hope to which hopes draw near,

فإذا كنتَ مُسعِفاً كُلَّ قصْدٍ

ومُنيلاً في الدّهْرِ ما لا يُنالُ

So if you fulfill every intention,

And attain in life what none can attain,

فلِمَ النّظْمُ يا إمامَ البَرايا

أصْمَتَ النُّطْقَ منْ يَدَيْكَ النّوالُ

Why then this verse composition, O leader of mankind,

Has the flow of words from your hands ceased?

فكلامُ العبيدِ حمْدٌ وشكرٌ

ودُعاءٌ لربِّهِمْ وابْتِهالُ

Thus the words of slaves are praise and gratitude,

And supplication to their Lord, and heartfelt prayer,

أن يُديمَ الإلَهُ منكَ إماماً

راقَ منهُ الجَمالُ والإجْمالُ

That God may make you an Imam enduring,

Of whom beauty and perfection shone forth,

دُمْتَ للدّين ناصِراً منْ عِداهُ

ترْتجيكَ القُصّادُ والأُمّالُ

You remained the defender of the faith from its enemies,

Archers and high hopes thrill for you.