عكفتُ عَلى الآداب قَبل فطامي

وَهمتُ بِها حَتّى بَلغت مَرامي

I devoted myself to literature before I was weaned,

And I aspired to it until I achieved my goal.

وَبادرت مضمار الحَماسة وَالثَنا

بِسابق فكر في المَدائح سامي

I hastened into the arena of enthusiasm and praise

With leading thoughts in sublime eulogies.

وَجاريت في مَدح السَعيد وَشبله

وَأَوطانه وَالجُندِ كُلَّ همام

And I flowed in praising the happy one and his cub

And his homelands and the soldiers, all determined.

فَكُنت وَلا أَنفكُّ أَوّلَ قائم

بِواجب شكرٍ طابَ فيهِ كَلامي

Thus I was and did not cease to be the first

To perform the duty of gratitude in which my words prospered.

وَمَعْ ذاكَ لَم أَحصر مَناقبَه الَّتي

تجلّ عَن الإحصا بِأَلف إِمام

And with that, I did not limit his merits which

Transcend counting with a thousand leaders.

لِأَنِّيَ لَم أَفخَر بِنَشر فضائلٍ

لعرفانه المَولى زَعيم عصام

Because I did not boast of spreading virtues

For acknowledging the Master, chief of warriors.

وَكَيفَ وَدِيوان الجُيوش مذ اِنتمى

لَهُ زانَهُ مِنهُ بَديعُ نِظام

And how could I when the army's register since he joined

Was adorned by him with the most excellent system.

وَقامَ بِتَدبير الأُمور سَداده

وَإِرشاده الأَسنى أَتمّ قِيام

And he managed affairs wisely,

And his finest guidance and leadership were perfect.

وَكرّ عَلى الأَعدا فَبدّد شَملَهم

وَجرَّعهم في النقع كَأسَ حِمام

He attacked the enemies and scattered their alliance

And made them drink in the battle the cup of annihilation.

وَأَخنى عَلى المَغرور يَوم نِزاله

بِوَخزِ عوالٍ أَو بِطَعنِ حسام

He was relentless towards the arrogant on the day of fighting

With the stab of spears or the thrust of swords.

وَحلّ جَميع المُشكلات بحكمة

يَمانية تَقضي بحسم خصام

And he resolved all problems with wisdom

That rules and ends conflict.

وَأَرغم بِالإِنصاف أَنف معاندٍ

ظَلوم سَفيه الرَأي نسلِ لِئام

And he forced the nose of an unjust, foolish, wicked opponent

To submit against his will.

وَأَلف ما بَين القُلوب بِرأفة

وَغَيث نَوالٍ بالمبرّة هامي

And he united hearts with kindness

And rain of gifts pouring copiously.

وَأَحيا بِتقدير العَزيز مُروءةً

تحلَّى بِها في مصر جيدُ كِرام

And he revived with the honoring of the dear one, morals

With which the neck of the generous in Egypt was adorned.

وَقابل بالإِحسان عِندَ شِفائه

طَبيباً عَن الجسم اللَطيف يُحامي

And when cured, he reciprocated the physician

Who cared for his delicate body with kindness.

وَأَولاه ما فَوق المُنى بِسَماحة

ثَناه عَلَيها في المحافل نامي

And granted him beyond wishes with generosity

For which he was praised in grand gatherings.

فَلا زالَ مَشكور المَساعي موفَّقاً

إِلى الخَير ما لاحَت بدورُ تمام

So he still has successful efforts with gratitude,

Guided to good until the cycle is complete.

وَما فازَ مِنهُ في الحِمى كُلُّ خائف

بِأَمنٍ وَإِنعامٍ وَعزِّ مقام

And none attained safety in his protection, favor and lofty position

Except those in fear.

وَما اِزداد تَشريفاً بِهِ مَدحُ مخلصٍ

لِعلياه في بدءٍ وَحسن ختام

And no sincere praise of his sublime status

Increased at the beginning and good conclusion.