ماذا عَسى لِأَبي الفَضائِلَ أَن تُجيب

وَهوَ المُقَدَّمُ في البَلاغَةِ وَالنَجيب

What can I say in response to the virtuous Abi

Who is foremost in eloquence and refinement?

ذو اللُبِّ عَبدُ القادِرِ المَنشي الَّذي

غَنيتُ بِهِ الطِلابَ عَن مَغنى اللَبيب

The brilliant Abd al-Qadir al-Manshi whom

I made the students needless of an intelligent mentor.

هُنا بَعيدٌ في الحَقيقَةِ عِندَنا

في رَوضِهِ هُوَ ذَلِكَ الغُصنُ الرَطيب

He is truly far away from us here

In his garden, that fresh branch.

وَنَحا سَبيلاً لِلوِدادِ وَما دَرى

أَنَّ الفُؤادَ يُعِدُّهُ أَسنى حَبيب

And he paved the way of affection though unaware

That the heart counts him the most beloved companion.

فَلا شَكَرنَ هَناءَهُ وَوَلاءَهُ

ما اِهتَزَّ غُصنٌ أَو تَغَنّى عَندَليب

So I cannot thank his joy and loyalty

When no branch stirred or nightingale sang.

وَأَخَصَّهُ بِتَحِيَّةٍ يَطوىي لَها

ريحُ الصِبا مِن نَشرِهِ مِسكاً وَطيب

And I sent him a special greeting the fragrance of which

The morning breeze spreads as musk and perfume.

وَأُسائِلِ المَولى الكَريمُ تَضَرُّعاً

بِبَقائِهِ فَهوَ السَميعُ المُستَجيب

And I ask the Bountiful Master beseechingly

By his remaining, for He is All-Hearing, Responsive.