وَظَرِيفٍ لو أنَّه كان وَقْتاً

كان في الظَّرْفِ مِثْلَ وَقْتِ الصَّبُوحِ

If only it were a time, in time’s vessel,

Like the time of dawn, pure and fresh.

أَوْ مِنَ الماءِ كانَ شَرْبَةَ صَادٍ

بِمَهُولٍ من الفَلاَةْ طَلِيْحِ

Or a drink of water for a thirsty traveler,

Lost in the desert, seeking respite.

أَوْ مِنَ الكُتْبِ حِيْنَ تُقْرَأُ يَوْماً

كَانَ مِنْها مُبَشِّراً بِفُتُوحِ

Or a book, on the day it is read,

Bringing good tidings of victories.

شَرَفٌ تَمّ في أَبِي الحَسَنِ الحُرْ

رِ وَحِلْمٌ يُزْهَى بِعِلْمٍ رَجِيْحِ

Virtue perfected in Abu Al-Hasan,

And wisdom adorned with superior knowledge.

جاعِلٌ صدرَهُ إذا اسْتُكْتِمَ السِّرْ

رَ ضريحاً للسرِّ أَوْكالضَّرِيْحِ

Making his chest, when a secret is confided,

A tomb for the secret, hiding and sheltering.

بِأَبِي أَنْتَ إنَّ غايَةَ مَدْحي

فاقَهَا شَأْوُ فَضْلِكَ المَمْدُوحِ

It is your father I praise; for the utmost of my praise

Falls short of your superior merits.

وَشَفَانِي مِنَ الصَّبَابَةِ والشّوْ

قِ إِلَى لَفْظِكَ البَدِيْعِ الفَصِيْحِ

And cured me of my youthful excitement and passion,

To your most eloquent and articulate words.

رُقْعَةٌ مِنْك زانَهَا الخَطُّ واللَّفْ

ظُ وَحُسْنُ التَّشْذِيْرِ والتَّوْشِيْحِ

A note from you, graced by handwriting and phrase,

Fine arrangement and excellent drafting.

فَاجْتَنِيْها فَحَسْبُ نَفْسِيَ مِنْهَا

مِنْحَةٌ أُهْدِيَتْ إِلَى مَمْنُوحِ

So favor me with it, for my soul is satisfied

By a gift presented to one granted gifts.