رثاء ذوي العلم الأجلة يندب

وذكر معاليهم إلى الفرض أوجب

A lament for the passing of eminent scholars is urged

And mention of their virtues is an obligatory duty

كمن شاع في كل الممالك فضله

وكان به عند الملوك يقرب

He who gained renown throughout all the lands

And was held in high esteem by kings

هو الكامل المشهور احمد فارس

هو الفاضل المشكور والمتأدب

The perfect and famous Ahmad Faris

The virtuous and cultured gentleman

أماثل كل الناس تهوى بيانه

وفي مثله الأمثال تتلى وتضرب

All people admire his eloquence

And proverbs are recited and coined about the likes of him

خليل ذوي العرفان في كل موطن

جليل إلى لبنان يعزى وينسب

The bosom friend of the enlightened in every abode

The eminent native son of Lebanon

لقد ساد في أهليه إذ هو يافع

وقد زاد في فضل حواء التغرب

He excelled among his own people in his youth

And his excellence surpassed the best of the West

فسار لأهل الغرب فاحتفلوا به

وداموا على اكرامه حيث يذهب

So he journeyed to the people of the West and they honored him

And continued to revere him wherever he went

وجاء إلى دار السعادة قاطناً

وقد ناله فيها فخار ومنصب

He came to the Abode of Felicity to dwell

And attained distinction and stature there

بنى لبني الشدياق مجداً مخلداً

ولم ينس من قد كان من قبل يصحب

He built an enduring glory for the Shidyaq family

And did not forget those who were his friends before

فعاش بها حتى أتته وفاته

كما كان انسان له الموت مشرب

He lived there until death came to him

As it comes to all mortals

معارفه شتى ومن كان مثله

يعز علينا ان يموت ويصعب

His knowledge was multifaceted

And it grieves us that he died and departed

ولكن قضاء الله بالموت عمنا

وليس لنا مما قضى الله مهرب

But Allah's decree of death comes to us all

And there is no escape from what Allah has ordained

وما مات من تبقى مآثر فضله

وكان له نجل سعيد مهذب

And he who leaves behind the legacy of his virtues does not perish

And he had a fortunate son, cultured and refined

وذاك سليم الطبع قد قام بعده

بما كان منه قبل ان مات يرقب

Sublime in character, he took his father's place

Continuing what he did before he passed away

وجاء إلى لبنان حالاً بحسبه

وآواه في قبرٍ به يتلقب

He came to Lebanon soon thereafter

And was laid to rest in a grave bearing his name

وسار جميع الناس في يوم دفنه

بمشهده حفلاً كما سار مؤكب

All the people gathered for his funeral procession

Thronging around it like a royal entourage

وفي الجامع الاعلى على النعش انشدت

مراث حسان عن مزاياه تعرب

And in the Grand Mosque elegies were recited over his bier

Singing of his merits in lyrical verse

وانا لنرجو ان يقوم سليمه

مقاماً به يرضي اباه ويعجب

We hope his son Slim will take his place

Satisfying his father and earning praise

فيبدي له فضلاً وينشر كتبه

ليبقى له الذكر الجميل ويكسب

Displaying merit and disseminating his books

So that his fine name endures and prospers

ورب نجيب فاق في الفضل اصله

وذلك يرجى من سليم ويحسب

And perhaps the noble scion will surpass his noble line

As Slim is expected to accomplish

فلا زال للفعل الجميل موفقاً

ودام بأوج العز ما ضاء كوكب

May he always succeed in virtuous deeds

And forever enjoy the height of glory as long as stars shine bright