يا أَوحد الدَهر في تَدبير مملكةٍ

نشرت فيها لِواء العَدل وَالأَدَبِ

O unique of the age in governing a kingdom

In which you have raised the banner of justice and refinement

وَمَن بِهِ تُونسُ الخَضراءُ طالعُها

أَضحى سَعيداً وَفازَت مِنهُ بِالأَرَب

He by whom verdant Tunisia rises fortunate

And profits thereby without stint

وَمَن مَناقبُه الغَرّاءُ لَو قُسمت

عَلى العِباد لَأَغنتهم عَن الحَسَب

Whose outstanding qualities, were they apportioned

Among the people, would suffice them, not requiring exertion

وَمَن سِياستُه حلّت رِياستَه

بِحلية الجدّ دُون اللَهو وَاللَعب

Whose governance has clothed his leadership

In the garment of seriousness, not frivolity and play

وَمَن غَدا لا يُجاريه بِمكرمة

كَعبٌ وَلا حاتم المَشهور في العرب

One who has become peerless in munificence

Neither Ka'b nor Hatem, famed among the Arabs, can match him

وَمَن مساعيه في خَير الأُمور بِها

طابَ الثَناء عَلى عَلياه في الكُتُب

Whose endeavors in the best of matters have thereby

Made praise for his lofty deeds fragrant in books

وَمَن وَمَن لا يُبارَى في مَعارفه

وَفَضلِه الوافرِ الفَيّاضِ كَالسُحب

Peerless in his knowledge and abundant grace

Pouring down like clouds

إِني بِعَجزي لَمَعروفٌ وَمُعترفٌ

عَن شُكر مَولىً أَثيلِ المَجد وَالنَسب

I, in my inadequacy, am one known and admitting

Inability to thank the Lord of enduring glory and lineage

وَإِنَّني وَالَّذي أَولاك في زَمَني

ما أَنتَ أَهلٌ لَهُ مِن أَرفَع الرُتَب

And indeed, by Him who has appointed you in my time

You are not suited for it, from the most exalted of ranks

لا أَنثني عَن مَديحي فيكَ ما طَلعت

شَمس وَما صُلِّيَت خَمسٌ مَدى الحقب

I will not refrain from praising you as long as the sun rises

And five prayers are performed throughout the ages

فَأَنتَ غَيثٌ وَإِن الغَيثَ عادته

يَأتي فَيروي بِلا سؤلٍ وَلا طلَب

For you are a downpour, and the nature of downpours

Is to come and water without asking or request