عن الموصل الحدباء قد جاء مخبرٌ

عن الموصل الحدباء قد جاء مخبرٌ

بان زراها خير مأوىً ومنزلِ

بان زراها خير مأوىً ومنزلِ

My informant has brought me word of Mosul, the Humpbacked:

A messenger has brought word of Mosul, al-Hadba,

that her soil is the finest refuge and dwelling,

That its [unclear word] is the finest refuge and dwelling,

وأن بها أهل البلاغة والحجى

وأن بها أهل البلاغة والحجى

فقلت نعم والفضل في صدرها علي

فقلت نعم والفضل في صدرها علي

and that within her dwell masters of eloquence and discernment.

And that it is home to people of eloquence and wisdom.

So I said: Yes—excellence within her breast is lofty.

So I said, 'Yes—and excellence lies in its chief, Ali.'