ولمَّا التَقيْنا والثَّناءُ معَ النَّوى

فَصيحٌ وودُّ النَّفْسِ بالغيبِ ناصِعُ

When we met and praise mingled with purpose

An eloquent one whose soul longed for the unseen, radiant

تَبوَّجَ برْقُ البِشْرِ من وجْهٍ ماجِدٍ

تألُّقُهُ في رَوْنَقِ الصُّبْحِ لامِعُ

The lightning of good tidings flashed from a glorious face

Its brilliance gleaming in the grace of dawn

وأعْرَب عِزُّ الدِّينِ عنْ كامِل النُّهى

حَوى المجْدَ طُرّاً وهو في السِّنِّ يافِعُ

The pride of religion expressed consummate guidance

Bearing glory youthfully while in his prime

فعايَنْتُ ماءَ الرَّافدينِ لَطافَةً

وقد سَهَّلَتْهُ للورودِ الشَّرائعُ

I saw the gentle waters of the two rivers

Facilitated for flowers by laws

تجَلَّى لَبيقَ العِطْفِ في حِلْيَةِ العُلى

عليه وَقارٌ مُرْهِبٌ وتَواضُعُ

The splendor of kindness appeared in the adornment of sublimity

Upon it a revered and humble dignity

يَسُرُّكَ منهُ قولُهُ وهو ناطِقٌ

ويُرْضيكَ منهُ فَهْمُهُ وهو سامِعُ

You are pleased by his words when he speaks

And satisfied by his understanding when he listens

وما مهو إِلاَّ السَّيْفُ أمَّا فِرنْدُهُ

فَزَيْنٌ وأمَّا حَدُّهُ فهو قاطِعُ

It is but a sword, its hilt may be an ornament

But its blade is cutting