قَد وَدَّ نوحٌ أَن يُباسِطَ قَومَهُ

فَدَعا إِلَيهِ مَعاشِرَ الحَيوانِ

Noah wished he could reach out to his people

So he called upon the animals' gathering

وَأَشارَ أَن يَلِيَ السَفينَةَ قائِدٌ

مِنهُم يَكونُ مِنَ النُهى بِمَكانِ

And gestured that a leader should board the ark

One of noble conduct and high standing

فَتَقَدَّمَ اللَيثُ الرَفيعُ جَلالُهُ

وَتَعَرَّضَ الفيلُ الفَخيمُ الشانِ

The magnificent lion came forth

And the dignified elephant made its way

وَتَلاهُما باقي السِباعِ وَكُلهُم

خَرّوا لِهَيبَتِهِ إِلى الأَذقانِ

Followed by the rest of the beasts, all

Bowed their heads in awe and obey

حَتّى إِذا حَيّوا المُؤَيَّدَ بِالهُدى

وَدَعَوا بِطولِ العِزِّ وَالإِمكانِ

When they greeted the one guided by God

And prayed for power and capability

سَبَقَتهُمُ لِخِطابِ نوحٍ نَملَةٌ

كانَت هُناكَ بِجانِبِ الأَردانِ

An ant preceded them in addressing Noah

It was there, next to the cedar tree

قالَت نَبِيَّ اللَهِ أَرضى فارِسٌ

وَأَنا يَقيناً فارِسُ المَيدانِ

It said: "O prophet of God, a horse would suffice

Yet I'm surely the champion of the battlefield

سَأُديرُ دِفَّتَها وَأَحمي أَهلَها

وَأَقودُها في عِصمَةٍ وَأَمانِ

I will steer its course and protect its people

And lead it safely, a trusty shield"

ضَحِكَ النَبِيُّ وَقالَ إِنَّ سَفينَتي

لَهِيَ الحَياةُ وَأَنتِ كَالإِنسانِ

The prophet laughed and said: "My ark

Is life itself and you are but human

كُلُّ الفَضائِلِ وَالعَظائِمِ عِندَهُ

هُوَ أَوَّلٌ وَالغَيرُ فيها الثاني

All virtues and greatness belong to Him

He is the First and others come second

وَيَوَدُّ لَو ساسَ الزَمانَ وَمالَهُ

بِأَقَل أَشغالِ الزَمانِ يَدانِ

And He wishes if time was ruled

By the simplest of all things made