سمعت صروف الدهر قول العاتب

وتجنبت حرب المليك الحارب

I heard the turns of fate and the reproacher's words,

And avoided the war of the battling king,

وتجافت الأيام عن مطلوبه

وما رده أكرم به من طالب

And the days turned away from what he sought,

Yet no seeker honored him more than he who asked.

هو من عرفن فلو عصاه نهاره

لرماه نقع جيوشه بغياهب

He who knew us - even if he were to disobey by day,

His armies would pelt his enemies with darkness.

وإذا سطا أضحت قلوب عداته

تلوى كمخراق بكفي لاعب

And when he is relaxed, the hearts of his enemies

Writhe like a toy in the hands of a playing boy.

من ذا ينادي الناصر الملك الذي

في كفه بحرا ردى ومواهب

Who is there to call on the victorious king in whose hand

Are storms of generosity and gifts?

وإذا سرى خلت البسيطة لجّة

أمواجها بيض وبيضٌ قواضب

And when he marched forth, the plain became

Waves - white, and boats white.

ملك القلوب محبة ومهابة

فاقتادها طوعا بهيبة غاضب

The love and awe of hearts are the possessions of a king Who thus easily leads them, out of awe, though wrathful.