قالوا أمير فقال العدل بل ملِك

قالت مخافته لله بل ملَك

They said he's a prince, he said no, a just king

Fear of God, she said no, an angel

نعم عليّ العلى دنيا وآخرة

والعقل يشهد والآثار والفلك

Yes, the Most High has blessed me with this life and the next

And reason bears witness, as do traces and celestial orbits

لو تسأل البدر أنبا عن سناه بلا

تكلُّفٍ وتجلى باسمه الحلك

If you asked the moon to tell of his brilliance without

Affectation and the new moon shone with his crescent

فليهنَ شامٌ له من دأبه حلبٌ

حماه بأساً فلا بأس ولا دَرَك

So let Damascus rejoice in his purpose and Aleppo his protection

In might, no harm will come, no loss will occur

كم آمن فيه أمنَ الطيرِ في حرمٍ

وكان مثل قطاةٍ غرَّها شرَك

How many found refuge in him, the security of birds in a sanctuary

And he was like an easily fooled sand grouse ensnared

لا تذكرنَّ بحاراً عند أنعمه

إنَّ البحار لدى نعمائه برَك

Do not mention seas next to his bounties

For the seas are but ponds next to his blessings

واسمع مدائح كالأسلاك من دُرَرٍ

غنَّى بها مادحوه أيّة سلكوا

And listen to praises like necklaces made of pearls

With which his eulogists have sung, however they strung them