1. أيا ابنَ الألى فرضوا المكرماتِ

    في سننِ السننِ المخزيه

    O son of those who made noble deeds a duty,

    along the path of disgraceful customs.

  2. لهم جمل الفضل عند العموم

    وصاحبهم صاحب التجزيه

    Theirs is the sum of excellence in the eyes of all,

    and their companion is the master of apportionment.

  3. أراني عدمتك في المفرحات

    فهلاَّ وجدتك في المرزيه

    I find myself without you on occasions of joy;

    why, then, did I not find you in bereavement?

  4. فديتُ أياديكَ ما أن تصاب

    لا في الهناء ولا التعزيه

    May I be ransom for your favors—they are never found,

    neither in congratulation nor in condolence.

  5. أجامعَ شمل المجد وهو مبدَّدٌ

    ولم يكُ حلقٌ غيره جامعَ الشملِ

    O gatherer of glory’s ranks, scattered as they are,

    and no [creature] but he brought those ranks together.

  6. لئن غاب عنا يوسفُ الملك والعلى

    لقد حلّ فينا يوسفُ الجود والفضل

    Though Yusuf of sovereignty and high rank has departed from us,

    Yusuf of generosity and excellence has indeed settled among us.

  7. ولا ينكون مني المثول لحاجةٍ

    فما شيمَ وجهُ السُّحب إلاَّ مع الحل

    And let my appearing with a need not be [deemed strange],

    for the face of the clouds is watched only in [drought].