مَلكٌ إِذا ما الوَفدُ حَلَّ بِبابِهِ

قالَت شَمائِلُهُ الكَريمَةُ مَرحَبا

A king, when the delegation arrives at his door,

His noble features say "Welcome!"

أَندى المُلوكِ نَدىً وَأَطولُهُم يَداً

وَأَعَزُّهُم خالاً وَأَكرَمُهُم أَبا

The most generous of kings in bounty, the tallest in stature,

The proudest in lineage, the kindest father.

ثَبتُ الجَنانِ إِذا الجِبالُ تَزَعزَعَت

حامي الحَقيقَةِ حامِلٌ ما أَتعَبا

Steadfast of soul when mountains crumble,

Defender of truth, bearing heavy burdens,

وَمُقَصِّرٌ عَن بَعضِ ما أَولَيتُهُ

شُكري وَإِن كُنتُ الفَصيحَ المُسهَبا

Yet falling short of some duties I charged him,

For which I thank him, eloquent as I am.

وَلَو اَنَّني نَظَّمتُ فيكَ قَلائِدَ الـ

ـجَوزاءِ كُنتَ أَجَلَّ مِنها مَنصِبا

Had I strung hymns for you like pearls on a necklace,

You would still be nobler than my eulogy.