جَرَتْ عَادَةُ سَرْكِيسٍ

جَرَتْ عَادَةُ سَرْكِيسٍ

عَلَى الإبدَاعِ مَا اسْطَاعَا

عَلَى الإبدَاعِ مَا اسْطَاعَا

It has been Sarkis's custom

Sarkis's habit was creativity as much as he was able

To create as much as he can.

And can Sarkis relax if he does not create?

وَهَلْ يَرْتاحُ سَرْكِيسٌ

وَهَلْ يَرْتاحُ سَرْكِيسٌ

إِذَا لمْ يَأْتِ إِبْدَاعَا

إِذَا لمْ يَأْتِ إِبْدَاعَا

And does Sarkis find rest

The view of virtue, if perfected

If he brings forth no original creation?

The view of beauty, if cared for

فَرَأْيُ الفَضْلِ إِنْ تَمَّ

فَرَأْيُ الفَضْلِ إِنْ تَمَّ

وَرَأْيُ الحُسْنِ إِنْ رَاعَا

وَرَأْيُ الحُسْنِ إِنْ رَاعَا

So the idea of excellence, if complete,

The view of noble manners

And the idea of beauty, if it inspires awe,

And refinement altogether

وَرَأْيُ الشِّيَمِ الحُرَّةِ

وَرَأْيُ الشِّيَمِ الحُرَّةِ

وَالآدَابِ جُمَّاعَا

وَالآدَابِ جُمَّاعَا

And the idea of noble traits,

To it prestige is added

And good manners, all together,

Counting the hour then the hour

إِلَيْهَا الجَاهُ مُنْضَمَّا

إِلَيْهَا الجَاهُ مُنْضَمَّا

يَعُدُّ السَّاعَ فَالسَّاعَا

يَعُدُّ السَّاعَ فَالسَّاعَا

With prestige joined to them,

The people gathered, nobles

He counts the hours, one after another.

And merchants and farmers

تَلاَقَى القَوْمُ أَعْيَاناً

تَلاَقَى القَوْمُ أَعْيَاناً

وَتُجَّاراً وَزُرَّاعَا

وَتُجَّاراً وَزُرَّاعَا

The people gathered—dignitaries,

And merchants and farmers.