سَرى الغَمامُ وَغادَتنا غَواديهِ

كَأَنَّهُ نائِلٌ بِتنا نُرَجّيهِ

The clouds floated by and our valleys bid them adieu

As if they were achievers fulfilling hopes held by you

حَكى نَدىً مِن أَبي العَبّاسِ يُشبِهُهُ

إِذا تَهَلَّلَ وَاِنتَلَّت عَزاليهِ

They told a tale from Abul `Abbas resembling it

When it flows and its trees stand erect in array

قَد أَلبَسَ اللَهُ عَبدَ اللَهِ أُبَّهَةً

مِن سَعيِ داوُدَ زادَت في مَساعيهِ

God has clothed Abdullah with a garment

From seeking David, adding to his pursuits

إِنَّ الخَراجَ بِقِنِّسرينَ يَجمَعُهُ

تَدبيرُ يَقظانَ يَدري كَيفَ يُحيِيهِ

Verily, the land tax by two gold coins he collects

The management of an alert one knows how to enliven it

أَعجَلَ بَعضاً بِضَربٍ مِن تَقَدُّمِهِ

وَاِقتادَ بَعضاً بِضَربٍ مِن تَأَتّيهِ

He rushed some with a push from his advancement

And guided others with a pull from his coming

إِذا تَكَلَّمَ لَم يَدخُل صَريمَتَهُ

هَزلٌ وَلا كانَ غَيرَ الجِدِّ يَعنيهِ

When he speaks no jest enters into his talk

Neither is it other than serious he means thereby

لا يَنقُصُ الطَمَعُ الغالي عَزيمَتَهُ

وَلا سَبيلَ إِلى عَيبٍ يُدانيهِ

Lofty ambition does not diminish his resolve

Nor is there way to a fault that would blame him

عُلُوُّ هِمَّتِهِ عَن ذاكَ يَرفَعُهُ

وَفَضلُ ثَروَتِهِ عَن ذاكَ يُغنيهِ

The height of his ambition raises him above that

And surplus of his wealth enriches him beyond that