قَديمُage-old هَواكُمlove for you فيin الفُؤادِthe heart قَرارُهُits dwelling
قَديمُ هَواكُم في الفُؤادِ قَرارُهُ
فَكَيفَthen how بِهِwith it مُذsince شَطَّgrew distant عَنكُمfrom you مَزارُهُits place of visitation
فَكَيفَ بِهِ مُذ شَطَّ عَنكُم مَزارُهُ
My age-old love for you has its dwelling in the heart;
Your love within my heart its home has made
how fares it, now that its place of visitation lies far from you?
How then without you can my soul live on?
يَرىit sees حُسنَكُمyour beauty وَالصَدُّand rejection أَظلَمَdarkened لَيلُهُits night
يَرى حُسنَكُم وَالصَدُّ أَظلَمَ لَيلُهُ
فَهَلthen will لِوِصالِfor union أَنto يُضيءَshine نَهارُهُits day
فَهَل لِوِصالِ أَن يُضيءَ نَهارُهُ
It sees your beauty, though rejection has darkened its night;
Your beauty seen, though distance makes its light so fade
will union, then, make its daylight shine?
Can daybreak through our union shine at dawn?
تَرَكتُمyou left حَشاهُhis heart مِنfrom أَسىًsorrow وَتَذَبذُبٍand trembling
تَرَكتُم حَشاهُ مِن أَسىً وَتَذَبذُبٍ
جَناحَa wing قَطاًsandgrouse خَفَقاًfluttering فَبانَso departed اِصطِبارُهُhis endurance
جَناحَ قَطاً خَفَقاً فَبانَ اِصطِبارُهُ
You left his heart, through sorrow and trembling,
You left me to such sorrow and dismay
a fluttering sandgrouse's wing—and his endurance departed.
A wingèd heart that fluttered, hope forlorn
وَماand not لِبِلىfor the wasting of ذاthis الجِسمِbody وَجديmy grief وَإِنَّماbut rather
وَما لِبِلى ذا الجِسمِ وَجدي وَإِنَّما
يُباحُis violated حِمىthe sanctuary of راجٍone hoping لَكُمfor you وَجُوارُهُand his protection
يُباحُ حِمى راجٍ لَكُم وَجُوارُهُ
My grief is not for this body's wasting; rather,
To one so frail, what can life’s ruins say?
the sanctuary and protection of one who hopes in you are violated.
I seek refuge where you dwell, forlorn
وَحاليand my state عَلىamid ماwhatever سَرَّpleased أَوor ساءَdistressed مِنكُمُfrom you
وَحالي عَلى ما سَرَّ أَو ساءَ مِنكُمُ
كَحالَةِlike the state of مُخمورٍone intoxicated زَهاهُelated him خُمارُهُhis intoxication
كَحالَةِ مُخمورٍ زَهاهُ خُمارُهُ
Whatever comes from you, pleasing or grievous, my state
In your decree, be it joy or sadness, I
is that of one intoxicated, elated by his intoxication.
Am like a drunk whom passion’s wine has worn
أَلَذُّthe sweetest اِهتِياجِstirring of الشَوقِlonging بيin me سَحَراًbefore dawn إِذاwhen
أَلَذُّ اِهتِياجِ الشَوقِ بي سَحَراً إِذا
تَفاقَمَgrew worse ماwhat أَلقىI endure وَثارَand flared أُوارُهُits blaze
تَفاقَمَ ما أَلقى وَثارَ أُوارُهُ
The sweetest stirring of longing in me comes before dawn, when
Sweet agony of longing fills the hours before the day
what I endure grows fierce and its blaze flares up.
When pent-up sighs and tears are borne
أَماindeed وَالَّذيby Him who أَعلىexalted بِيوسُفَthrough Yusuf دينَناour faith
أَما وَالَّذي أَعلى بِيوسُفَ دينَنا
بِرُغمٍin defiance لِشانيهِfor his hater المَلومِcondemned اِزوِرارُهُhis aversion
بِرُغمٍ لِشانيهِ المَلومِ اِزوِرارُهُ
Indeed, by Him who exalted our faith through Yusuf,
By Him who raised our Prophet’s faith on high
to spite his hater, whose aversion is condemned,
Despite the sneers of fault-finders forsworn
لَقَدindeed قَدَحَتstruck sparks آرلاؤُهُhis favors (uncertain reading) زَندَthe fire-stick of خاطِريmy mind
لَقَد قَدَحَت آرلاؤُهُ زَندَ خاطِري
بِنَظمٍin verse سَماrose high وَصَفاand became pure جَلِيّاًclearly كُبارُهُits grand passages
بِنَظمٍ سَما وَصَفا جَلِيّاً كُبارُهُ
his favors [uncertain reading] have struck my mind's fire-stick,
His poetry sparked thoughts that dormant lie
in verse whose grand passages rose high and shone clear,
In verse sublime, his genius like the morn
لِمَلِكٍfor a king مُريدٍintent on لِلعَويصِthe difficult بِفَهمِهِthrough his understanding
لِمَلِكٍ مُريدٍ لِلعَويصِ بِفَهمِهِ
فَيَعبُرُهُso it traverses it وَعرَrugged المَساقِthe course اِعتِبارُهُhis reflection
فَيَعبُرُهُ وَعرَ المَساقِ اِعتِبارُهُ
for a king intent, through his understanding, on difficult things;
A willing king, complexities to clarify
his reflection traverses them, however rugged their course.
Crossing meaning’s straits with reason well-adorned
رَأَيتُI saw جَلِيّاًclearly مِنof مَعونَةِthe aid of رَبِّناour Lord
رَأَيتُ جَلِيّاً مِن مَعونَةِ رَبِّنا
لَهُfor him دائِماًcontinually يَزهوadorns البِلادَthe lands اِفتِرارُهُhis smile
لَهُ دائِماً يَزهو البِلادَ اِفتِرارُهُ
I have seen clearly something of our Lord's aid
God’s succor manifest, a boon whereby
for him, as his smile continually adorns the lands.
Our lands in bounty and peace are reborn
فَلِلَّهِso praise be to God دَهرٌan age قَدindeed أَمِنّاwe felt safe from شُرورَهُits evils
فَلِلَّهِ دَهرٌ قَد أَمِنّا شُرورَهُ
وَقَدand indeed ذَبَّdrove away عَنfrom نَهجِthe path of العُلُوِّeminence شِرارُهُits wicked ones
وَقَد ذَبَّ عَن نَهجِ العُلُوِّ شِرارُهُ
Praise be to God for an age whose evils we no longer fear,
An age where evil is nullified
and whose wicked ones have been driven from the path of eminence.
And wicked aims are from ambition torn
وَقامَand rose صَلاحُSalah الدينِal-Din بِالشِركِagainst polytheism فاتِكاًstriking fatally
وَقامَ صَلاحُ الدينِ بِالشِركِ فاتِكاً
وَأَطواقُand the collars of أَعناقِthe necks of المُلوكِkings شِفارُهُhis blades
وَأَطواقُ أَعناقِ المُلوكِ شِفارُهُ
Salah al-Din rose up, deadly against polytheism,
Saladin, upholding faith, arose to smite
his blades forming collars around the necks of kings.
The necks of kings by his defiance shorn
مُديرُturner of رَحىًa millstone لِلحَربِfor war صادٍthirsty حُسامُهُhis sword
مُديرُ رَحىً لِلحَربِ صادٍ حُسامُهُ
إِلىfor مُهجُlifeblood يُلقىcasts الشَرارَsparks غِرارُهُits sharp edge
إِلى مُهجُ يُلقى الشَرارَ غِرارُهُ
He turns war's millstone, his sword thirsting
Grinding blades in war, lightning swords alight,
for lifeblood, its sharp edge casting sparks.
To breast of foe as fiery sparks are borne
غَداةَwhen طَحاswept away بِالمُشرِكينَthe polytheists اِقتِحامُهُhis assault
غَداةَ طَحا بِالمُشرِكينَ اِقتِحامُهُ
أَخوa man of دُلجٍnight journeys مُستَنقِذُrescuer of القُدسِJerusalem ثارُهُhis vengeance
أَخو دُلجٍ مُستَنقِذُ القُدسِ ثارُهُ
When his assault swept the polytheists away,
At the break of day the pagans take to flight
a man of night marches, his vengeance rescued Jerusalem.
Kinsman of shadows, freeing Al-Quds in scorn
حَباbestowed مِنحاًgifts وَاِستَشعَرَand felt الأَمنَsecurity شامُهُhis Syria
حَبا مِنحاً وَاِستَشعَرَ الأَمنَ شامُهُ
بِلاwithout حَرَجٍhardship مُستَنقِذُrescuer of القُدسَJerusalem ثارُهُhis vengeance
بِلا حَرَجٍ مُستَنقِذُ القُدسَ ثارُهُ
He bestowed gifts, and his Syria felt secure,
Love he gave. Peace bloomed, security in sight
without hardship, his vengeance the rescuer of Jerusalem.
Al-Quds ransomed, no harsh acts were borne
سَطاstruck مَرَحاًexultantly صَولاًin assault تَلاهُfollowed it اِبتسامُهُhis smile
سَطا مَرَحاً صَولاً تَلاهُ اِبتسامُهُ
عَلىat فَرجٍrelief أَبدىrevealed فَأَحياso brought life اِنتِشارُهُits spread
عَلى فَرجٍ أَبدى فَأَحيا اِنتِشارُهُ
He struck in exultant assault, then his smile followed
Broad grins on his face, joy he incited
at the relief he revealed; its spread brought life.
Where despair had reigned, now hope is reborn
أَعَزَّhonored مَكانيmy standing إِذwhen أَزالَremoved ضَرورَتيmy need
أَعَزَّ مَكاني إِذ أَزالَ ضَرورَتي
وَماand not ذِلَّةُthe abasement of الإِنسانِa person إِلّاexcept اِضطِرارُهُhis helpless need
وَما ذِلَّةُ الإِنسانِ إِلّا اِضطِرارُهُ
He honored my standing when he relieved my need;
My proudest hour when want is requited
a person's abasement is nothing but helpless need.
Man’s abjection lies in needs that press forlorn
وَلاand no عَزِّةٌhonor إِلّاexcept وَلاءٌallegiance وَقُربَةٌand nearness
وَلا عَزِّةٌ إِلّا وَلاءٌ وَقُربَةٌ
تَحَلّىadorned himself بِهwith it شَخصٌa man موفىfulfilled فَخارُهُhis glory
تَحَلّى بِه شَخصٌ موفى فَخارُهُ
And honor is nothing but allegiance and nearness,
No honor but in loyalty and love shown true
which adorn a man whose glory is fulfilled.
To one whose noble deeds are still outpoured
وَماand not الإِفكُfalsehood مِنfrom ناسٍpeople عَمواwere blinded بِمُعَجَّزٍable to defeat
وَما الإِفكُ مِن ناسٍ عَموا بِمُعَجَّزٍ
لِشَهمٍa noble man فَلَيسَfor it is not الوَهمُdelusion يَعلوrises high مُثارُهُits stirrings
لِشَهمٍ فَلَيسَ الوَهمُ يَعلو مُثارُهُ
The falsehood of people blinded cannot defeat
Vain gossip from those who boast but construe
a noble man; the stirrings of delusion do not prevail.
Illusions, not truths, are foundations for
وَمَنand whoever أَبدَأَbegan النُعمىthe favor عَساهُmay he يُتِمُّهاcomplete it
وَمَن أَبدَأَ النُعمى عَساهُ يُتِمُّها
بِأَلطافِthrough the kindness of ذيone possessed of جَدىbounty مُفاضٍspread wide سِتارُهُhis shelter
بِأَلطافِ ذي جَدى مُفاضٍ سِتارُهُ
May he who began the favor bring it to completion,
He who gifts should complete what he began
through the kindness of a bountiful one whose shelter is spread wide.
With grace from a Lord whose bounty is still in store
يَجودُhe gives generously فَلَيسَso is not الأَعظَمُthe greatest الثائِرُrousing الثُباthe companies
يَجودُ فَلَيسَ الأَعظَمُ الثائِرُ الثُبا
لِيوفيto rise عَلىabove مُعطىًa recipient أُمِدَّwas prolonged اِحتِقارُهُhis humiliation
لِيوفي عَلى مُعطىً أُمِدَّ اِحتِقارُهُ
He gives; the greatest, who rouses the companies, is not
Although arrogance great gifts the giver may ban
one to tower over a recipient whose humiliation has been prolonged.
One who gives with grace gives greater than before
لَقَدindeed مُدَّwas extended لِلإِسلامِfor Islam أَقوىthe strongest عُرىbonds of الهُدىguidance
لَقَد مُدَّ لِلإِسلامِ أَقوى عُرى الهُدى
وَتَمَّand was perfected اِقتِداءُemulation ثُمَّthen عَمَّspread everywhere اِشتِهارُهُhis fame
وَتَمَّ اِقتِداءُ ثُمَّ عَمَّ اِشتِهارُهُ
For Islam, the strongest bonds of guidance have been extended,
To guide aright our faith strongly he ran
and emulation was perfected; then his fame spread everywhere.
Its beacons lit, spreading near and far
بِماthrough what خَصَّdistinguished مَلكاًa king ذادَrepelled جَيشَan army of فَرَنجَةٍFranks
بِما خَصَّ مَلكاً ذادَ جَيشَ فَرَنجَةٍ
وَفاجَأَهُand surprised it يُلميcloses in (uncertain reading) عَلَيهِمupon them إِسارُهُhis bonds
وَفاجَأَهُ يُلمي عَلَيهِم إِسارُهُ
Through what distinguished a king who repelled an army of Franks
The enemy host taken off guard
and surprised it, his bonds closing upon them [uncertain reading].
His voice resounds, presaging their gore
عَطاءٌa gift قَضاهُordained it رَبُّناour Lord بِتَكافُوءٍin equal measure
عَطاءٌ قَضاهُ رَبُّنا بِتَكافُوءٍ
وَأَودَعَهُand entrusted it خَلقاًto creatures تَساوىwas equal اِفتِقارُهُtheir need
وَأَودَعَهُ خَلقاً تَساوى اِفتِقارُهُ
A gift our Lord ordained in equal measure
Pale faces part, their weapons forsworn
and entrusted to creatures whose need was equal.
Lest you destroy them within their hold
فَلاso no قَتَدٌsaddle-frame إِلّاexcept شَواهُمtheir limbs سُتورُهُits coverings
فَلا قَتَدٌ إِلّا شَواهُم سُتورُهُ
وَلاand no مَسدٌtwisted cord إِلّاexcept طُلاهُمtheir necks شِعارُهُits inner garment
وَلا مَسدٌ إِلّا طُلاهُم شِعارُهُ
No saddle-frame but has their limbs for its coverings,
Yusuf exiled them by might and scorn
and no cord but wears their necks as its inner garment.
Soon nothing of them would life still hold
وَسيقواand they were driven فَماso not تَدريknows الفَتاةُthe maiden بِإِلفِهاof her beloved
وَسيقوا فَما تَدري الفَتاةُ بِإِلفِها
قَريباًnearby وَلاand not يَدريknows الفَتىthe young man ماwhat اِنتِظارُهُhis waiting
قَريباً وَلا يَدري الفَتى ما اِنتِظارُهُ
They were driven away; the maiden knows nothing of her beloved
What bold aims foiled by his miracles!
nearby, nor does the young man know what he awaits.
In matters complex solutions he bore
سَرىswept through قَدَرٌa decree فَاِغتالَso struck down إِفرِنجَthe Franks of ساحِلٍa coast
سَرى قَدَرٌ فَاِغتالَ إِفرِنجَ ساحِلٍ
بِماwith what لَمdid not يَغُلstrike down طاغيthe tyrant of ثَمودَThamud قُدارُهُits Qudar
بِما لَم يَغُل طاغي ثَمودَ قُدارُهُ
A decree swept through and struck down the Franks of the coast,
What tyrants whose might made your allies’ blood congeal
in a way that never struck Thamud's tyrant, Qudar.
May your conquest reveal plots they have swore
فَقَدnow indeed عَلِمواthey learned تَحقيقَthe reality of ماwhat جَهَلوهُthey did not know مِنof
فَقَد عَلِموا تَحقيقَ ما جَهَلوهُ مِن
نَكيرٍthe reprisal of قَديرٍa mighty one لاnot يُطاقُcan be borne حِذارُهُfear of it
نَكيرٍ قَديرٍ لا يُطاقُ حِذارُهُ
They have now learned the reality of what they did not know:
Their forces in chaos, discord revealed
the reprisal of a mighty one, fear of which cannot be borne.
Routed by terror they cannot ignore
وَعَزمُand the resolve of صَلاحُSalah الدينِal-Din إِذwhen جَهَلوهُthey did not know it قَدindeed
وَعَزمُ صَلاحُ الدينِ إِذ جَهَلوهُ قَد
تَسَلَّطَheld sway فيهِمover them صَوتُهُits voice وَاِنتِصارُهُand its triumph
تَسَلَّطَ فيهِم صَوتُهُ وَاِنتِصارُهُ
And Salah al-Din's resolve, which they did not know—indeed,
His banners of yellow are brightly peeled
its voice and triumph have ruled over them.
Wherever he aims to desecrate and deplore
بَنيO sons of أَصفَرٍAsfar أَلقواlay down السِلاحَarms وَوَحِدّواand proclaim God's oneness
بَني أَصفَرٍ أَلقوا السِلاحَ وَوَحِدّوا
وَإِلّاor else دَهاكُمwill overwhelm you مَنthe one who سَباكُمcaptured you بِدارُهُhis swift advance
وَإِلّا دَهاكُم مَن سَباكُم بِدارُهُ
Sons of Asfar, lay down your arms and proclaim God's oneness,
His sons all so noble, enlightened and steeled
or the swift advance of him who captured you will overwhelm you.
As branches raised by ideals he bore
فَيوسُفَso Yusuf أَجلاكُمdrove you out مِنَfrom الأَرضِthe land عَنوَةًby force
فَيوسُفَ أَجلاكُم مِنَ الأَرضِ عَنوَةً
وَيُجلىand drives out فَماso not يُبقيspares عَلَيكُمyou نِفارُهُhis hostility
وَيُجلى فَما يُبقي عَلَيكُم نِفارُهُ
Yusuf drove you from the land by force,
Among rulers the best, a paragon sealed
and drives you out still; his hostility spares you nothing.
Accolades countless are his lifelong store
وَكَمand how often رامَsought صَعباًa difficult thing جاءَcame فيهِin it بِمُعجِزٍwith a marvel
وَكَم رامَ صَعباً جاءَ فيهِ بِمُعجِزٍ
يَقومُstands لِثاءٍfor [unclear word] فيin الشُؤونِaffairs اِنتِشارُهُits spread
يَقومُ لِثاءٍ في الشُؤونِ اِنتِشارُهُ
How often he sought a difficult goal and achieved a marvel in it;
The faith that our age had obscured is revealed
its spread through affairs stands for [unclear word].
By his wisdom, composure decorum bore
وَكَمand how many واجِمٍone silent with distress مِنfrom رَوعِهِdread of him فيamong مُلوكِكُمyour kings
وَكَم واجِمٍ مِن رَوعِهِ في مُلوكِكُم
عَسىperhaps الفَتحُconquest إِبداءًa beginning بِهِمwith them مُستثارُهُits arousal
عَسى الفَتحُ إِبداءً بِهِم مُستثارُهُ
How many of your kings stand silent in dread of him;
In his palace displaying such calm and appeal
perhaps conquest will be stirred to begin with them.
Counsels profound are decisions he bore
فَأَشبانُso Ashban مَنfrom إِثخانِهِhis crushing blows فيin تَنافُرٍdiscord
فَأَشبانُ مَن إِثخانِهِ في تَنافُرٍ
تَرىshe sees جُندُهُhis army داهٍcalamitous لَهاfor her مُستَطارُهُits sweeping flight
تَرى جُندُهُ داهٍ لَها مُستَطارُهُ
So Ashban, under his crushing blows, is in disarray;
Damascus, his graces evoke Yusuf’s zeal
she sees his army, its sweeping advance a calamity for her.
His generosity and courage uphold
وَرايَتُهُand his banner الصَفراءُyellow زاهٍsplendid زِفافُهاits procession
وَرايَتُهُ الصَفراءُ زاهٍ زِفافُها
إِلَيهاtoward her اِبتِكاراًearly in the morning حَيثُwherever رادَsought اِزدِيارُهُhis visit
إِلَيها اِبتِكاراً حَيثُ رادَ اِزدِيارُهُ
His yellow banner is splendid in its procession
His splendor enhanced in glory's bright field
toward her at dawn, wherever he sought to visit.
Ardor arose, radiance he did outpour
وَأَبناؤُهُand his sons أَهلُmen of المَعاليhigh attainments تُنَوَّرواdrew light
وَأَبناؤُهُ أَهلُ المَعالي تُنَوَّروا
هُداهُhis guidance فُروعاًas branches راقَwas pleasing فيهاin them ثِمارُهُhis fruits
هُداهُ فُروعاً راقَ فيها ثِمارُهُ
His sons, men of high attainments, drew light from
Adorned with praise fitting his valor revealed
his guidance, as branches in which his fruits were pleasing.
His great deeds magnified all the more
الأَفضَلُAl-Afdal فيamong الأَملاكِkings شَخصُan embodiment of فَضائِلٍvirtues
الأَفضَلُ في الأَملاكِ شَخصُ فَضائِلٍ
إِذاwhen عُدَّwas counted ماwhat قَدindeed خُصَّwas singled out for عَزَّproved difficult اِنحِصارُهُits enumeration
إِذا عُدَّ ما قَد خُصَّ عَزَّ اِنحِصارُهُ
Al-Afdal, among kings, is the embodiment of virtues;
His smile shone bright, worries were peeled
when his special gifts are counted, they defy enumeration.
To a delighted man, perils bore
تَجَلّىshone forth بِنورِthrough Nur الدينِal-Din ماthat which تاهَtook pride عَصرُناour age
تَجَلّى بِنورِ الدينِ ما تاهَ عَصرُنا
بِهِthrough him نامِياًgrowing كَهلُmature التَمامِperfection وَقارُهُhis dignity
بِهِ نامِياً كَهلُ التَمامِ وَقارُهُ
Through Nur al-Din shone that in which our age takes pride,
Dawn’s light removed all gloom once concealed
growing through him, his dignity fully mature.
When darkness blanketed heavy before
يَلوحُappears بِدارِin the House of العَدلِJustice ذاpossessing أَريحِيَّةٍmagnanimity
يَلوحُ بِدارِ العَدلِ ذا أَريحِيَّةٍ
بِرَأيٍwith a judgment رَواهُrelated it عَبرَةًas a lesson مُستَشارُهُhis adviser
بِرَأيٍ رَواهُ عَبرَةً مُستَشارُهُ
He appears in the House of Justice, full of magnanimity,
Steeds of heroes raced, vying to yield
with a judgment his adviser related as a lesson.
To a gallant unsaddled, whose needs were no chore
دِمَشقُDamascus لَهاfor it مِنهُfrom him شَمائِلُthe qualities of يوسُفَYusuf
دِمَشقُ لَها مِنهُ شَمائِلُ يوسُفَ
سَماحاًgenerosity وَإِقداماًand courage حَمىprotected مُستَجارُهُhis refuge
سَماحاً وَإِقداماً حَمى مُستَجارُهُ
Damascus receives from him the qualities of Yusuf,
For highest ranks, with his mouth he appealed
in generosity and courage; his refuge gave protection.
To a bold youth, discerning what to him was in store
عَلىupon سُرحاًopen range (uncertain here) جَلّاshone clearly مُنيراًradiant مَقامُهُhis station
عَلى سُرحاً جَلّا مُنيراً مَقامُهُ
سَنىradiance لَهَجٍardor أَزهىmade more splendid مَداهُits reach اِبتِدارُهُhis promptness
سَنى لَهَجٍ أَزهى مَداهُ اِبتِدارُهُ
Upon an open range [uncertain reading], his station shone radiantly,
Standing firm, upholding both state church and field
a radiance of ardor: his promptness made its reach more splendid.
By canon and sword, guarding all lands he swore
حُلىًornaments مِدحاًin praise يُسَمّىis named فَينَمىso grows اِعتِيامُهُhis being chosen
حُلىً مِدحاً يُسَمّى فَينَمى اِعتِيامُهُ
شَذاperfume أَرِجٍfragrant بِالمَكرُماتِin noble deeds اِفتِخارُهُhis pride
شَذا أَرِجٍ بِالمَكرُماتِ اِفتِخارُهُ
He is named with ornaments of praise, and his distinction grows;
Reviving and securing, his face lit up and healed
his pride in noble deeds is a fragrant perfume.
As a refuge, but to foes, terror he bore
فَرىcleft open نُدحاًbroad spaces إِشراقُهُhis radiance وَاِنتِسامُهُand his wafting breeze
فَرى نُدحاً إِشراقُهُ وَاِنتِسامُهُ
لِمُبتَهِجٍfor one gladdened يَومَthe day of الهِياجِbattle خِطارُهُhis swaying stride
لِمُبتَهِجٍ يَومَ الهِياجِ خِطارُهُ
His radiance and wafting breeze cleft open broad spaces
What kings made to boast of their forces to wield!
for one gladdened on battle day by his swaying stride.
To the winds he turned their vaunts and lore
يَرىhe sees وَضَحاًbrightness وَالنَقعُand battle-dust داجٍdark ظَلامُهُits darkness
يَرى وَضَحاً وَالنَقعُ داجٍ ظَلامُهُ
لَدىamid لَجُجٍsurging seas يُزجيdrives onward الكُماةَarmored warriors شِعارُهُhis battle-cry
لَدى لَجُجٍ يُزجي الكُماةَ شِعارُهُ
He sees brightness while the battle-dust's darkness is deep,
Misguided lands he called back to the field
amid surging seas, his battle-cry drives armored warriors onward.
Where peace became true, turmoil no more
مُداعِسُa spear-fighter against أَبطالٍchampions تَنازَتleapt فِقادُهاtheir losses (uncertain reading)
مُداعِسُ أَبطالٍ تَنازَت فِقادُها
مَطاياthe mounts of أَبِيٍّa defiant man لاnot يُرامُcan be assailed قِطارُهُhis caravan
مَطايا أَبِيٍّ لا يُرامُ قِطارُهُ
A spear-fighter against champions, whose losses mounted [uncertain reading],
Opener of Jerusalem, rise up to yield
the mounts of a defiant man whose caravan cannot be assailed.
True guidance, though bigots your wisdom ignore
لِعُلُوِّfor the height of المَقاماتِstations اِستطالَreached high بِفَمِهِwith his mouth
لِعُلُوِّ المَقاماتِ اِستطالَ بِفَمِهِ
فَتىًa youth هُوَيدِريhe knows (joined words) أَينَwhere يَسموrises high اِختِيارُهُhis choice
فَتىً هُوَيدِري أَينَ يَسمو اِختِيارُهُ
For lofty stations, he reached high with his mouth—
Spill the blood of oppressors, from faith they did shield
a youth who knows where his choice rises.
Yet sins they commit are guilts they still wore
فَيوسُفَso Yusuf بَينَbetween المُلكِkingship وَالدينِand faith واقِفٌstanding
فَيوسُفَ بَينَ المُلكِ وَالدينِ واقِفٌ
بِسَيفٍwith a sword وَشَرعٍand sacred law دائِرٍcircling حَيثُwherever دارُهُhis dwelling
بِسَيفٍ وَشَرعٍ دائِرٍ حَيثُ دارُهُ
Yusuf stands between kingship and faith,
With traitors of covenants you wisely appealed
with sword and sacred law, circling wherever his dwelling lies.
Exposing their treachery, shame they outpour
مُحَيّاهُhis face نورُlight for المُعتَفىthe seeker of bounty مُطلِعٌdawning with مُنىًhopes
مُحَيّاهُ نورُ المُعتَفى مُطلِعٌ مُنىً
وَأَمناًand safety وَلِلعاديand for the aggressor عَلىupon الرُعبِterror نارُهُhis fire
وَأَمناً وَلِلعادي عَلى الرُعبِ نارُهُ
His face is light for the seeker of bounty, dawning with hopes
Their lands you made kneel, humbled and repealed
and safety; for the aggressor, his fire adds to terror.
The tyrants conceded, revealing their poor
وَكَمand how many صادَhunted down ذاone possessed of مُلكٍsovereignty يُباهيboasts بِجَيشِهِof his army
وَكَم صادَ ذا مُلكٍ يُباهي بِجَيشِهِ
فَأَسحَرَthen brought dawn حَتّىuntil اِرفَضَّdispersed عَنهُfrom around him اِعتِكارُهُhis gathered darkness
فَأَسحَرَ حَتّى اِرفَضَّ عَنهُ اِعتِكارُهُ
How many a sovereign boasting of his army has he hunted down,
They pleaded with you like the final seal
then brought dawn, until the darkness gathered about him dispersed.
This conquest made manifest evermore
وَأَمَّand headed toward دِيارَthe dwellings of الشائِدينَthose building up ضَلالَةًerror
وَأَمَّ دِيارَ الشائِدينَ ضَلالَةً
فَبادواso they perished وَشيدَتand were built بِالأَمانِin safety دِيارُهُhis dwellings
فَبادوا وَشيدَت بِالأَمانِ دِيارُهُ
He marched toward the dwellings of those who built up error;
Vanquished your foe, his villainy revealed
they perished, and his dwellings were built up in safety.
While your command remains as before
أُفاتِحُO conqueror (reading uncertain) دارَthe abode of القُدسِJerusalem قُمrise لِمُعانِديagainst my adversary
أُفاتِحُ دارَ القُدسِ قُم لِمُعانِدي
هُدىًguidance وَآلَسَand [unclear verb] الحاكيthe imitator ذَوِيَّهُhis kin خَيارُهُhis chosen ones
هُدىً وَآلَسَ الحاكي ذَوِيَّهُ خَيارُهُ
O conqueror of Jerusalem's abode, rise against my adversary,
Like magic, emblazoned your glory concealed
with guidance; [unclear phrase about the imitator, his kin, and his chosen ones].
From Andalus a minaret for
أَرِقshed دَمَthe blood of أَعداءٍenemies مِنَfrom among العِلمِlearning وَالتُقىand piety
أَرِق دَمَ أَعداءٍ مِنَ العِلمِ وَالتُقى
وَقَدand indeed لَبِسواthey donned ماwhat آبَreturned وَصَماًas disgrace عَوارُهُits flaw
وَقَد لَبِسوا ما آبَ وَصَماً عَوارُهُ
Shed the blood of enemies from among men of learning and piety,
None in Syria or Iraq comprehesively wielded
who have donned a thing whose flaw has returned as disgrace.
A mastery of science and wisdom in store
وَجالَسَand consorted with عُداةًfoes مِنone who (uncertain reading) سَماrose high وَضعَتshe set down لَهُfor him
وَجالَسَ عُداةً مِن سَما وَضعَت لَهُ
خِيانَةَbetrayal of عَهدٍa covenant بَيِّنٍclear فيهِin it عارُهُhis shame
خِيانَةَ عَهدٍ بَيِّنٍ فيهِ عارُهُ
And one who rose high consorted with foes; set before him [uncertain reading]
Unable to fathom its form or tradition shielded
was betrayal of a clear covenant, with his shame therein.
What wonders untold could his arts still explore!
وَمانَتand she lied فَبانَتso she withdrew أَقطارُهاher regions دَنَتdrew near
وَمانَت فَبانَت أَقطارُها دَنَت
وَدانَand submitted لَكَto you الأَطغيthe most tyrannical مُبيناًmaking plain صِغارُهُhis abasement
وَدانَ لَكَ الأَطغي مُبيناً صِغارُهُ
And she lied and withdrew; her regions drew near,
When one alone is blessed with miracles wielded
and the most tyrannical submitted to you, his abasement plain.
None other can match what his capabilities bore
وَأَيسوفِيّاًand Aisophia تَرجوكَhopes for you مِثلَlike قِيامَةٍResurrection
وَأَيسوفِيّاً تَرجوكَ مِثلَ قِيامَةٍ
فَذاso this الفَتحُconquest يَعلوrises above العالَمينَthe worlds جِهارُهُits proclamation
فَذا الفَتحُ يَعلو العالَمينَ جِهارُهُ
And Aisophia hopes for you, like the Resurrection;
this conquest's proclamation rises above the worlds.
عَدُوُّكَyour enemy واهٍweak حَيثُwherever تَمَّbecame complete سُفورُهُhis exposure
عَدُوُّكَ واهٍ حَيثُ تَمَّ سُفورُهُ
وَأَمرُكَand your cause زاهٍsplendid حَيثُwherever أَمَّheaded سِفارُهُits journeys
وَأَمرُكَ زاهٍ حَيثُ أَمَّ سِفارُهُ
Your enemy is weak wherever he stands fully exposed;
your cause shines wherever its journeys lead.
وَديباجُand a brocade of سِحرٍenchantment رَقمُembroidery of أَندَلُسٍAndalus سِماrose high (uncertain reading)
وَديباجُ سِحرٍ رَقمُ أَندَلُسٍ سِما
وَجَليانَةٌand Jilyana بَينَamong البِلادِthe lands مَنارُهُits beacon
وَجَليانَةٌ بَينَ البِلادِ مَنارُهُ
And a brocade of enchantment, embroidered in Andalus, rose high [uncertain reading],
and Jilyana, among the lands, is its beacon.
فَماso no لِشَآمَfor Syria أَوor عِراقٍIraq بِفَهمِهِin understanding it
فَما لِشَآمَ أَو عِراقٍ بِفَهمِهِ
يَدٌa hand فَبِأَقطابِfor around the poles of العُلومِthe sciences مَدارُهُits orbit
يَدٌ فَبِأَقطابِ العُلومِ مَدارُهُ
Neither Syria nor Iraq has, in understanding it,
any hand; its orbit turns about the poles of the sciences.
وَقَدand indeed جَهَلوهُthey did not know it صورَةًin form وَقِراءَةًand reading
وَقَد جَهَلوهُ صورَةً وَقِراءَةً
فَماذاwhat then عَسىmight be إِبداعُهُits artistry وَاِبتِكارُهُand its originality
فَماذا عَسى إِبداعُهُ وَاِبتِكارُهُ
They have failed to know it in form and reading;
what, then, might its artistry and originality be?
إِذاwhen خُصَّwas singled out شَخصٌa person فيamong الأَنامِhumankind بِمُعجِزٍfor a marvel
إِذا خُصَّ شَخصٌ في الأَنامِ بِمُعجِزٍ
فَلَيسَthen there is not لِثانٍfor a second person فيwithin مَداهُits reach اِقتِدارُهُhis power
فَلَيسَ لِثانٍ في مَداهُ اِقتِدارُهُ
When a person among humankind is singled out for a marvel,
no second person has his power within that realm.
Partial English translation: 108 of 120 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1