مَحمودُ دُرٍّ في سُلوكٍ مِن ذَهَب

وَلَآلِئَ حُسنِ الصَفاءِ بِها غَلَب

Mahmoud is a precious pearl in a necklace of gold,

And gems of pure radiance he has outshone.

حَلَّت تُباري النَجمَ في عَليائِهِ

وَاِستَحقَرَت لِلنَيِّرَينِ وَلا عَجَب

He rivals the stars in their lofty heights,

And cares not for inferior luminaries, no wonder.

مِن صُنعِ صَواغِ حَديثٍ نَشأَةً

فاقَ الشُيوخَ بِما تَحصُلُ وَاِكتَسَب

From a modern craftsman recently come of age

He surpassed the elders in all he had gained and grasped.

وَفي الصِناعَةِ حَقَّها بِتَفَنُّنٍ

وَغَريزَةٍ تَأتي بِأَحسَنِ مَطلَب

In his art he attained his rightful due through refinement

And an instinct that brings the most beautiful designs.

دانَت لَهُ عالي المَعاني رَغبَةً

فَاِختارَ مِنها كُلَّ غالٍ مُنتَخَب

The highest meanings bowed down desiring him

So he chose from amongst them each and every exquisite quintessence.

ضَنَّ الزَمانُ وَقَد يَضِنُّ بِمِثلِهِ

خَلقاً وَأَخلاقاً وَعِلماً وَأَدَب

The times are miserly, though they may be miserly towards his like,

In nature and ethics and knowledge and propriety.

يَومي فَتَفهَمُ أَو يُقَرِّرُ تَشتَفي

وَتَرى لَهُ العَجَب العُجابَ إِذا كَتَب

Daily he comprehends or affirms, you quench your thirst,

And you see in him wondrous marvels when he writes.

فَهوَ الجَليلُ وَرَبُّ بَيتِ فَضائِلٍ

ضَيفَ البَلاغَةِ مِن مَحاسِنِهِ كَسَب

He is the magnificent, the Lord of the house of virtues,

Who gathered eloquence from his beauties.