Sol 5.6

  1. The sight of dear Saʿid has become

    at every moment in Egypt the most delightful feast.

  2. And hopes, upon the carpet of congratulations,

    came forward swaying, with necklace and graceful neck.

  3. They gloried in kissing the loftiest stirrup—

    of one who has never ceased striving for some new benefit.

  4. May God gladden his heart and favor him

    in an age of happiness with long life,

  5. and clothe his lion-cub, scion of high honors,

    in virtue’s robe—new-won beyond inherited glory.

  6. Whenever he rose in civilized achievement, radiant grew

    the nations with his splendor among humankind;

  7. his resolve drew its sword for struggle

    and shielded his neighbor with formidable might;

  8. he let the people sleep beneath security’s shade,

    lush and ample, spread by his sound judgment;

  9. or rewarded the land, through justice, with prosperity,

    and devoted himself to building a towering fortress;

  10. or his fortunate army marched in quest of victory

    under his banners in matchless formation;

  11. or feasts followed one another, land after land,

    and in each, every illustrious man extolled him;

  12. or Fortune came, saying to me, “Write its chronogram:

    The feast dawned through Saʿid’s endeavor.”

Sol 5.6