1. ومجلسٍ قد حاز من حسنه

    مثلَ الذي جاز من المجد

    And a gathering that has attained in beauty

    as much as it has reached in glory:

  2. يضحك للتُّفَّاح نارَنْجُه

    ويَغْمز النَّرْجِسُ للورد

    its bitter oranges smile at the apples,

    and the narcissus winks at the roses.

  3. وأُلبِس الأُتْرجّ ما بينها

    صفرةَ من عُذِّب بالصّدّ

    And the citron among them was clothed

    in the yellow pallor of one tormented by rejection.

  4. وانتصب الليمون من حوله

    مثل انتصاب النَّهد للنَّهد

    And the lemons stood upright around it,

    like one breast rising to meet another.

  5. قابَلَه وجهُ إمام الهدى

    فلاح فيه قمر السَّعْد

    Facing it was the face of the Imam of guidance,

    so within it shone the moon of good fortune.

  6. واندفعتْ عِيدانُه وسطَه

    بكلّ ممتدٍّ ومُشْتَدّ

    And its lutes burst forth in its midst,

    with every sustained and forceful strain.

  7. يُتْبعها الزّمرُ حنِيناً كما

    ناح القَمَارِيّ على الرَّنّد

    The piping follows them plaintively, as

    turtledoves mourn upon the laurel.

  8. إذا اعتلى العنبر غَنَّتْ له

    رائحة الكافور والنَّدّ

    When ambergris rises, it is serenaded

    by the fragrance of camphor and nadd incense.

  9. لا زالت الأيام معمورة

    منك أبا المنصور بالرّشد

    May the days remain forever filled

    with right guidance from you, O Abu al-Mansur.