تبسم في الإقبال ثغرُ تهاني
لصدر صدورٍ لا يقاس بثاني
A smile of joy lights up the lips
Of the foremost in rank, matchless is he,
لصدر الصدور وافر الحَزم عدله
كَما الشَمس في ضوء وَفي لمعان
The foremost in rank, resolute and just
Like the sun in splendor and brilliance.
هوَ اِبن خديوي مصر توفيقٌ الَّذي
كَسا كَأبيه القطرَ درعَ أَمان
He is Khedive Tawfiq's son of Egypt, who
Shielded his country like his father before.
وَقامَ بِأعباء الرياسة فاِهتدى
بِآرائه في الحكم كلُّ معاني
He shouldered the burdens of leadership and was guided
By his wisdom in governance, comprehending all.
وفي مسند التوكيل عضَّد بِالنُهَى
رصينَ أَساسٍ مِن مُنيفِ مباني
In his appointed role he was supported with good advice,
A solid foundation of elegant buildings.
فَفاز مِن الأَوطان بِالشُكر وَالثَنا
وَأَومى إليه سعدُه ببنان
He won the gratitude of nations
And good fortune gestured to him.
وَميَّزه السلطان منه على الوَرى
بِأَعلى نشانٍ في أَعز مكان
The Sultan distinguished him above all others
With the highest honors in the noblest place.
فزاد سُرور العالمين بتحفة
مرصعة من لؤلؤ وجمان
Gladdening the two worlds with a gift
Studded with pearls and gems.
وَقالوا وَقد سادوا بتشريف قدره
ظفرنا مِن الدُنيا بنيل أَماني
They rejoiced, ennobled by his prestige,
Saying: we have attained our wishes in this life.
وَساغ لنا بثُّ الدعاء لدولة
بِها مَدحُه يُتلى بكل لِسان
It was fitting for us to pray for a state
In which praising him is recited in every tongue.
خَليليّ إني قَد جعلت رَسائِلي
عَلى بَيته وَقفاً بِغَير تَواني
Khalili! I have made my poems an endowment
For his house, unstintingly.
وَأَطلقت في مضمار آيات فضله
جياداً قَد اِمتازَت بِحوز رهان
I have released in the field extolling his virtues
Thoroughbreds distinguished in the race.
وَجاريت أَبطال البَلاغة في انتقا
نَفائسِ فكرٍ من لطيف معاني
I have competed with the heroes of rhetoric
In composing the finest ideas and subtle meanings.
فَأَحرزت فيهِ السَبقَ لا بفصاحةٍ
وَلا بِبَديع رائق وَبَيان
I have won the lead not by eloquence
Or by a charming, lucid style.
وَلَكن بِتَوفيق بِهِ اللَه خصني
وَثبَّت مني في الحَماس جِناني
But by God’s enabling me, making me steadfast
In valor and protecting my soul.
ووفَّقني في وَصفه لِفَرائد
تَفوق عُقوداً في نُحور حسان
He granted me success in describing wonders
Surpassing necklaces of beautiful pearls.
وَهَيهات يَثنيني وَإِني خويدمٌ
لِوالده عَن حسن مَدحيَ ثاني
Far from me to limit his father’s virtues
Or praise the son less.
وَحَسبي مَع التَقصير أَني مادحٌ
لِأَبناء إسماعيل طُول زَماني
I am content, though falling short, that I praise
The sons of Ismail for all my days.
لِأَبناء اسماعيل خَير مملَّكٍ
بِهِ مصرُه أَضحت كَرَوض جنان
The sons of Ismail, the best of kings
Through whom Egypt became like a garden.
وَأَيد فيها مُلكه وَهو تالد
بِعَزم كَسيف باتر وسنان
He strengthened its rule, enduring,
With resolute will, like an Indian sword.
وَعَهد إِلى المَمدوح أَكرم ماجد
وَأَنبل شبل آخذ بِعنان
He entrusted leadership to the most noble, magnanimous,
Highest-born scion, taking the reins.
وَأَشرَف مَن أَهدى إِلَيهِ إمامُه
مِن الدُرّ ما فيهِ لمصر تَهاني
He gave him the finest pearls that would bring Egypt joy,
And made his name shine with the best titles.
وَأَكرَم مَن أَنشأت فيهِ مؤرّخاً
زَها نُور تَوفيق بِطيب نشان
