أحق الورى بالمدح رب الفضائل

ومن قد تحلى بالمعالي الجلائل

Most worthy of praise among humankind is the possessor of virtues,

and he who has adorned himself with lofty, noble attainments,

كجودت باشا صاحب الدولة الذي

له شهدت بالفضل كل الأفاضل

like Jawdat Pasha, His Excellency, who

has all the eminent bearing witness to his excellence.

وزيرٌ على الشان قد شاد منزلاً

من المجد معموراً بحسن الشمائل

A minister of lofty stature, he has built a dwelling

of glory, filled with the beauty of noble character.

هو البحر ف يعلم وجود وانما

تنزه في الوصفين عن نهر سائل

He is an ocean of learning and generosity, yet

in both qualities he is above rebuffing anyone who asks.

فللدولة العليا افتخارٌ بمثله

فليس له في غيرها من مماثل

Thus the exalted state takes pride in one like him,

for in no other state has he an equal.

تمكن من كل المعارف فانجلت

لافكاره فوراً صعاب المسائل

He mastered every branch of knowledge, and so

the hardest questions at once became clear to his mind.

فآراؤه في كل خطب سديدة

مؤيدة منه باقوى الدلائل

Thus his views in every grave affair are sound,

supported by him with the strongest proofs.

واحكامه بالعدل مقرونة

كما صنائعه موصوفة بالجمائل

And his rulings are joined with justice,

just as his deeds are marked by graciousness.

فما صده عن خطة العدل ذو هوى

وما مال في اثبات حق لباطل

Thus no man ruled by passion turned him from the path of justice,

nor did he incline toward falsehood when upholding a right.

بعزمٍ شديد ينصر الحق دائماً

ولا يختشى في نصره لو عاذل

With firm resolve he always champions the truth,

and in its defense he fears no reproacher’s blame.

تقرب في حسن السياسة عند من

على خلفه ولاه اعدل عادل

Through good governance he won favor with the one

whom the most just of the just appointed over His creation.

وخير صفات المرء حسن استقامةٍ

فتلك لنيل العز اقوى الوسائل

The best of a person's qualities is upright conduct,

for that is the strongest means of attaining honor.

مكارم اخلاق جمعن بذاته

تجل عن الاحصاء في قول قائل

Noble traits of character are gathered in his person,

too lofty to be numbered in any speaker's words.

على البر والتقوى سريرته انطوت

فسيرته الحسنى فشت في القبائل

His heart embraces righteousness and piety,

so his noble conduct has become known among the tribes.

فعن كل شي قد تخلى وانما

تحلى بانواع الصفات الكوامل

He has renounced all things, and has only

adorned himself with every kind of perfect quality.