محاسن يوسف جليت علينا

بطبع رق معناه وراقا

The beauties of Yusuf were unveiled to us,

Through verse whose meaning was tender and pleasing.

به لاحت زليخا في المعاني

بمغنى الحسن للعشاق شاقا

In it, Zulaykha appeared among the meanings,

In beauty’s abode, stirring the lovers’ longing.

وفي سوق الرقيق بدت بعرض

لسائمها بكشف الساق ساقا

And in the slave market she appeared with a display

That drew her bidder on by baring the leg.

حلت في الذوق معنى حين مرت

به فعلت مبانيها طباقا

Her meaning grew sweet to the taste as she passed

Through it; so her structures rose tier upon tier.

بدائع قد جلاها فكر مولى

بنشر النضل في الآفاق فاقا

Marvels unveiled by the mind of a master,

Who excelled by spreading prowess across the horizons.

به مصر المعاني والمعالي

اليها الناس تستبق استباقا

In him lies the Egypt of meanings and noble attainments,

Toward which people race in eager rivalry.

وسعر الشعر عاد به جليلا

وراجت سوقه فينا نفاقال

And through him, poetry’s price rose high again,

And its market flourished among us in brisk trade.

وفي ميدانه صلى وجلى

فلم يدرك له احد لحاقا

And on its racecourse, he came second and first,

So no one managed to catch up with him.

فدام له الثنا من كل مثنٍ

على طول المدى يحلو مذاقا

So may praise endure for him from every praiser,

Sweet to the taste throughout the span of time.