يَبْدُو مُنِيفاً عَلَى هَامِ الرِّجَالِ كَمَا

يَبْدُو مُنِيفاً عَلَى هَامِ الرُّبَى عَلَمُ

He appears stately upon the necks of men

As he appears stately upon the necks of mounts,

مُجَلَّلاً هَمُّهُ بِالشَّيْبِ لِمتَهُ

وَقَدْ تَشِيبُ بِأَدْنَى هَمهِ اللِّمَمُ

His cares crowned with grey hairs,

And greys are caused by his slightest care.

وَلِلْخُطُوطِ عِراضاً فَوْقَ جَبْهَتِهِ

شِبْهُ المَدَارِجِ قَدْ حُفَّتْ بِهَا القِمَمُ

Upon his forehead are lines

Like mountain paths surrounded by peaks.

عَيْنَاهُ كَالكَوْكَبَيْنِ السَّاطِعَيْنِ زَهَا

سَنَاهُمَا بِسَنىً لِلْفِكْرِ يَضْطَرِمُ

His eyes like two shining planets,

Brightened by ideals kindling thought.

وَمَا الْغُضُونُ تَدَلَّى عَارِضَاهُ بِهَا

إِلاَّ الشُّجُونُ جَلا أَشْبَاحَهَا الأَدَمُ

The branches drooping over his cheeks

Are none but griefs, their shadows apparent.

إِنْ تَقْتَرِبْ شَفَتَاهُ وَالزَّمَانُ رِضىً

تَرَقْرَقَتْ مِنْهُمَا الآيَاتُ وَالْحِكَمُ

If his lips draw near in contentment,

From them flow signs and wisdom.

وَإِنْ يُفَرِّجْهُمَا فِي مَوْقِفٍ غَضَبٌ

رَاعَتْكَ فُوَّهَةُ البُرْكَانِ وَالْحِمَمُ

If he parts them in angry stand,

The crater of a volcano startles you, and its lava.

بَيْنَ الصِّلابِ الْحَوَانِي مِنْ أَضَالِعِهِ

قَلْبٌ كَبِيرٌ لِرَيْبِ الدَّهْرِ لا يَجِمُ

Between his strong ribs lies

A great heart, for the guiles of fate it yields not.

يَلِينُ رِفقاً فَإِنْ جَافَى وَصُكَّ بِهِ

صَرفُ الزَّمَانِ تَوَلَّى وَهْوَ مُنْهَشِمُ

It is gentle with mirth, but if adversity jests,

The vicissitudes of fate withdraw, frustrated.

مُتَمَّمُ الأَسْرِ رَحْبُ الصَّدْرِ بَارِزُهُ

مَقَوَّمُ الأَزْرِ طَاوِي الْكَشْحِ مُنْهَضِمُ

The perfect of build, broad of chest, prominent,

Straight of stature, slender of waist, erect.

فَيَا لَهُ هَيْكَلاً مِلْءَ الْعُيُونِ سَطَا

بِهِ الرَّدَى فَاحْتَوَتْهُ دُونَهَا الحرمُ

What a figure whose sight fills the eyes,

Destroying them! Below it lie the ruins.