أمْنعُ الأحياءِ بأساً وحِمىً

وأجَلُّ القومِ مسْعىً ونِجارا

Of all the living, the most unassailable in might and protected domain,

and the noblest of the people in endeavor and lineage.

ذُخرُه الحمدُ اذا ما غَيْرُهُ

جعلَ الذُّخْرَ لُجَيْناً ونُضارا

His treasure is praise, while any other man

makes silver and gold his treasure.

يفضلُ السُّحْبَ نوالاً وندىً

ويفوقُ الشمس ذكْراً واشْتهاراً

He surpasses the rainclouds in giving and bounty,

and outstrips the sun in renown and fame.

تلْتقي منهُ شُجاعاً فَرِقاً

يرهَبُ العارَ ولا يخشى الخِطارا

In him you meet a brave man who is fearful:

he fears disgrace, but does not fear perils.

نارُ بأسٍ فاذا نادمْتَه

كان سلْسالَ بَرودٍ أو عُقارا

A fire of martial might—but when you sit with him over wine,

he is cool, flowing water—or wine itself.

وأنيسٌ بالعُلى مُسْترسلٌ

فاذا العارُ دَنا كانَ نَوارا

At home among lofty honors, moving there at ease;

yet when disgrace draws near, he shies away.

شرفُ الدين الذي في مَهْدهِ

حازَ اشْتاتَ المعالي والفَخارا

Sharaf al-Din, who, while still in his cradle,

gathered the scattered heights of excellence and pride.

يُتَّقى هاجِسهُ في سُخْطهِ

ويُرى الموتَ صريحاً اِنْ أشارا

The very impulse of his anger is feared,

and death is seen plainly if he merely gestures.