سلطان فاسٍ جدَّ اعداؤه

سلطان فاسٍ جدَّ اعداؤه

وهو رخيُّ البال مزّاحُ

وهو رخيُّ البال مزّاحُ

The Sultan of Fez—his enemies were in earnest,

The sultan of Fez, his enemies are very hostile

while he was carefree and fond of jesting.

Yet he is carefree and cheerful

رثى له الأغيار في مشرق

رثى له الأغيار في مشرق

وهمه الحسناء والراحُ

وهمه الحسناء والراحُ

Others in the East pitied him,

Strangers mourned for him in the East

while his concern was a beautiful woman and wine.

While his concerns were only beautiful women and comfort

لا تعذلوه إن تلاهى ولم

لا تعذلوه إن تلاهى ولم

ينح على الملك كما ناحوا

ينح على الملك كما ناحوا

Do not reproach him if he amused himself and did not

Do not blame him for amusing himself and not

lament the kingdom as they lamented;

Bending to kingship as others have wailed

فإن في إفريقيا أمةً

فإن في إفريقيا أمةً

مأتمهم رقص وأفراحُ

مأتمهم رقص وأفراحُ

for in Africa there is a people

For in Africa there is a nation

whose mourning is dancing and rejoicing.

Whose grief is dance and joy