سَماrose لَكَbefore you مِنfrom أُمِّUmm (mother of) العُبَيدِal-Ubayd خَيالُan apparition
سَما لَكَ مِن أُمِّ العُبَيدِ خَيالُ
وَدُونَand short of لِقاهاmeeting her أَجرُعٌsandy rises وَسَيالُand acacias
وَدُونَ لِقاها أَجرُعٌ وَسَيالُ
An apparition of Umm al-Ubayd rose before you;
A dream of your mother's slave girl pictures you,
And sandy rises and acacias lay between you and meeting her.
And without seeing you my thirst is unquenched and my tears flow.
سَماrose وَمَطاياناand our mounts كَأَنَّas though اِقتِحامَهاtheir plunging through
سَما وَمَطايانا كَأَنَّ اِقتِحامَها
غَوارِبَcrests of أَمواجِwaves of الفُراتِthe Euphrates فِيالُelephants
غَوارِبَ أَمواجِ الفُراتِ فِيالُ
It rose while our mounts, as they plunged through
O Sama, our riding together was as though plunging
The crests of the Euphrates' waves, seemed elephants.
Through the billows of the Euphrates in flood.
فَأَهدىso it offered سُروراًjoy عازِباًlong absent كانَhad been قَدalready مَضىgone
فَأَهدى سُروراً عازِباً كانَ قَد مَضى
وَأَنسَتهُand made it forgotten أَيّامٌdays مَرَرنَthat passed طِوالُlong
وَأَنسَتهُ أَيّامٌ مَرَرنَ طِوالُ
So it offered a long-absent joy that had passed away,
You brought back a joy that had gone,
And that the long days passing had effaced.
And days bitter and long made me forget it.
وَعادَand it turned back فَلَمand did not يَلبَثlinger فَواقاًa brief moment كَأَنَّماas though
وَعادَ فَلَم يَلبَث فَواقاً كَأَنَّما
عَلَيهِupon it بِتَعجيلِfor hastening الرُجوعِthe return كفالُsureties
عَلَيهِ بِتَعجيلِ الرُجوعِ كفالُ
Then it turned back, not lingering a moment, as though
Then you returned, and stayed not long away - as though
Sureties bound it to hasten its return.
I had pledged myself hastily for your return.
فَشايَعتُهُso I escorted it أَقضيfulfilling الذِّمامَthe bonds of loyalty لِأَنَّنيbecause I
فَشايَعتُهُ أَقضي الذِّمامَ لِأَنَّني
لِذاكَto that أَبٌa father فيin الحالَتَينِboth states وَخالُand a maternal uncle
لِذاكَ أَبٌ في الحالَتَينِ وَخالُ
So I escorted it, honoring the bonds of loyalty, for I am
So I determined to pay the blood-price though
To it both father and maternal uncle, in either state.
I am in both cases his father and uncle.
إِلىuntil أَنthat بَلَغناwe reached الجِسرَthe bridge وَالتُرعَةَand the canal الَّتيwhich
إِلى أَن بَلَغنا الجِسرَ وَالتُرعَةَ الَّتي
بِأَكنافِهاalong its banks الحَيُّthe clan الكِرامُthe noble ones حِلالُencamped
بِأَكنافِها الحَيُّ الكِرامُ حِلالُ
Until we reached the bridge and the canal
Until we reached the bridge and canal where
Along whose banks the noble clan was encamped.
The dear, noble people make their homes.
وَحانَتand came لِعَينيto my eye يَقظَةٌan awakening بانَbecame clear عِندَهاat its onset
وَحانَت لِعَيني يَقظَةٌ بانَ عِندَها
بِأَنَّthat الَّذيwhat قَدalready كُنتُI had been فيهِin it مُحالُunreal
بِأَنَّ الَّذي قَد كُنتُ فيهِ مُحالُ
Then my eye awoke, and it became clear
My eyes were opened, and it was clear to me there
That what I had been experiencing was unreal.
That what I craved was unlawful to me.
فَواهاًso, ah! لَهاfor it تَهوِيمَةًa brief doze بَعَثَتit stirred جَوىًburning longing
فَواهاً لَها تَهوِيمَةً بَعَثَت جَوىً
حُرِمتُI was deprived of لَهُbecause of it اللّذّاتpleasures وَهيَand they were حَلالُlawful
حُرِمتُ لَهُ اللّذّات وَهيَ حَلالُ
Ah for that brief doze, which stirred a burning longing,
Alas for her whose trick set my passion astir,
For which I was denied pleasures, though they were lawful.
Though joys were forbidden me, hers were allowed!
أرَتنيit showed me دِيارَthe dwellings of الحَيِّthe clan قَوميmy people وَدُونَهاand before them
أرَتني دِيارَ الحَيِّ قَومي وَدُونَها
وِهادٌvalleys وَأَطوادٌand mountains عَلَتrose high وَرِمالُand sands
وِهادٌ وَأَطوادٌ عَلَت وَرِمالُ
It showed me the dwellings of the clan, my people; between us lay
She showed me the camp of my tribe, and near it
Valleys, towering mountains, and sands,
Were hills and dunes, heights and sandy wastes.
وَكُلَّand every اِبنِson of شَرٍّevil قَرنُهُhis match مِنfrom رِدائِهِhis cloak
وَكُلَّ اِبنِ شَرٍّ قَرنُهُ مِن رِدائِهِ
يَرىsee شَخصَهُhis form جِنُّthe jinn of الفَلاthe wastes فَيُهالُso are terrified
يَرى شَخصَهُ جِنُّ الفَلا فَيُهالُ
And every son of evil, whose only match is in his own cloak:
Each evil-natured son of villainy,
The jinn of the wastes see his form and are terrified.
His form is shrunk by the Jinn of the waste who terrify him.
رَعىmay guard اللَهُGod هاتيكَthose الدِيارَdwellings وَإِنeven if سَرَتcrept
رَعى اللَهُ هاتيكَ الدِيارَ وَإِن سَرَت
إِلَيناtoward us أَفاعٍvipers أَنبَتَتthey bred وَصِلالُand deadly serpents
إِلَينا أَفاعٍ أَنبَتَت وَصِلالُ
May God guard those dwellings, though there crept
God watch over those camps! Though there crept
Toward us vipers and deadly serpents they had bred.
To us from them long caravans, winding trails,
أَقُولُI say لِرَكبٍto a caravan مِنof عُقَيلٍUqayl لَقيتُهُمI met them
أَقُولُ لِرَكبٍ مِن عُقَيلٍ لَقيتُهُم
وَأَعناقُهاand their necks لِلقَريَتينِtoward al-Qaryatayn تُمالُare turned
وَأَعناقُها لِلقَريَتينِ تُمالُ
I say to riders of Uqayl whom I met,
I say to a band from 'Uqail whom I met
Their mounts' necks turned toward al-Qaryatayn:
As their camels moved towards one or other coast,
أَياO رَكبُriders حُيِّيتُمmay you be greeted وَجادَتand may drench بِلادَكُمُyour lands
أَيا رَكبُ حُيِّيتُم وَجادَت بِلادَكُمُ
غَمائِمُclouds أَدنىthe least of سَحِّهِنَّtheir downpour سِجالُbucketfuls
غَمائِمُ أَدنى سَحِّهِنَّ سِجالُ
O riders, greetings to you! May your lands be drenched
"Greetings, men! your land is bountiful.
By clouds whose lightest downpour falls in bucketfuls.
Though clouds come down to it dense, yet they unload no hail.
إِذاwhen جِئتُمُyou reach أَرضَthe land of الحَساءِal-Hasa وَقابَلَتand faced you
إِذا جِئتُمُ أَرضَ الحَساءِ وَقابَلَت
قِبابٌdomes بِضاحيin the open reaches of بَرِّهاits countryside وَتِلالُand hills
قِبابٌ بِضاحي بَرِّها وَتِلالُ
When you reach the land of al-Hasa and are met by
When you come to the land of Hasa and are faced
Domes and hills in its open countryside,
By tents against a background of long hills,
فَأَرخُواthen slacken لَهاfor them فَضلَthe spare length of الأَزمَّةِthe reins ساعَةًa while
فَأَرخُوا لَها فَضلَ الأَزمَّةِ ساعَةً
وَإِنeven if كانَthere was أَينٌweariness مَسَّهاtouched them وَكَلالُand exhaustion
وَإِن كانَ أَينٌ مَسَّها وَكَلالُ
Slacken the spare length of their reins awhile,
Then rest there from the noonday heat awhile
Even if weariness and exhaustion have touched them,
Though some tired and thirsty camels sprawl there."
إِلىuntil أَنthat تُوافواyou reach الدَربَthe lane وَالمَسجِدَand the mosque الَّذيwhich
إِلى أَن تُوافوا الدَربَ وَالمَسجِدَ الَّذي
بِهِat it الحَيُّthe clan حَيٌّalive وَالشَمالُand the north wind شَمالُa north wind
بِهِ الحَيُّ حَيٌّ وَالشَمالُ شَمالُ
Until you reach the lane and the mosque
Till you reach the road and mosque to which
Where the clan is alive and the north wind is the north wind.
Men living there and men dead there turn to pray.
فَثَمَّthen there تُلاقُونَyou meet المُلوكَthe kings بَنيthe sons of أَبيmy father
فَثَمَّ تُلاقُونَ المُلوكَ بَني أَبي
وَيَكثُرُand increases عَنّيabout me حينَat the time of ذاكَthat سُؤالُinquiry
وَيَكثُرُ عَنّي حينَ ذاكَ سُؤالُ
There you will meet the kings, my father's sons,
There you will meet the kings, sons of Abü
And then there will be much asking after me.
About me, at that point, questions multiply.
فَقُولُواthen say لَهُمto them إِنّاwe indeed تَرَكناleft أَخاكُمُyour brother
فَقُولُوا لَهُم إِنّا تَرَكنا أَخاكُمُ
بِحَيثwhere مَآلُthe haven of الراغِبينَthose seeking favor مَآلُa haven
بِحَيث مَآلُ الراغِبينَ مَآلُ
Tell them: We left your brother
Then say to them, "We left your brother
Where seekers of favor find a worthy haven,
Where the seeker of glory meets his fate;"
لَدىwith مَلِكٍa king لاnot يَبلُغُreaches الوَصفُdescription مَدحَهُhis praise
لَدى مَلِكٍ لا يَبلُغُ الوَصفُ مَدحَهُ
وَإِنeven if أَطنَبَspoke at length المُدّاحُthe panegyrists فيهِabout him وَقالُواand spoke
وَإِن أَطنَبَ المُدّاحُ فيهِ وَقالُوا
With a king whose praise no description can attain,
With a king whose praises no tongue can sound,
Though panegyrists dwell on him and speak at length.
Though encomiasts prolong their efforts to extol.
حَمُولٌa steadfast bearer لِأَعباءِof the burdens of الأُمورِaffairs وَإِنَّهاand indeed they
حَمُولٌ لِأَعباءِ الأُمورِ وَإِنَّها
عَلىupon غَيرِهِsomeone other than him لَوif رامَهاhe attempted them لَثِقالُsurely heavy
عَلى غَيرِهِ لَو رامَها لَثِقالُ
A steadfast bearer of the burdens of affairs, which indeed
He shoulders alone duties that would make
Would weigh heavily on another, should he attempt them.
On other shoulders weigh most heavily.
لَهُhe has أَبَداًalways عِرضٌhonor مَصونٌprotected عَنِfrom الخَناobscenity
لَهُ أَبَداً عِرضٌ مَصونٌ عَنِ الخَنا
وَمالٌand wealth لِمُمتاحِfor one drawing upon النَوالِbounty مُذالُfreely available
وَمالٌ لِمُمتاحِ النَوالِ مُذالُ
His honor is forever guarded against obscenity,
He preserves intact a name safe from all slurs
And his wealth freely offered to whoever draws his bounty.
And wealth flows freely to freely-opening palms
هُوَhe المَلكُthe king لاnot يَجريcirculates البَذاvulgarity فيin نَدِيِّهِhis assembly
هُوَ المَلكُ لا يَجري البَذا في نَدِيِّهِ
وَإِنeven if طالَgrew lengthy قِيلٌtalk فيin الخِصامِdispute وَقالُand countertalk
وَإِن طالَ قِيلٌ في الخِصامِ وَقالُ
He is the king; no vulgarity passes through his assembly,
He is the king whose court no false coin enters,
Even when dispute brings lengthy talk and countertalk.
However long at law opposing pleaders brawl.
تَوَلّىhe took charge فَأَولىand bestowed كُلَّevery خَيرٍgood فَأَصبَحَتso became
تَوَلّى فَأَولى كُلَّ خَيرٍ فَأَصبَحَت
بِهِthrough him المُهَجُthe souls العَطشىthirsting وَهُنَّand they were نِهالُquenched
بِهِ المُهَجُ العَطشى وَهُنَّ نِهالُ
He took charge and bestowed every good, until
He turned away, and turned all good our way,
Through him the thirsting souls were fully quenched.
So that barren lands became fertile this year,
وَلاقىand he met الرَعاياthe subjects خافِضاًlowering مِنof جَناحِهِhis wing
وَلاقى الرَعايا خافِضاً مِن جَناحِهِ
وَفيand in بُردَتَيهِhis two cloaks هَيبَةٌawe وَجَلالُand majesty
وَفي بُردَتَيهِ هَيبَةٌ وَجَلالُ
He met his subjects with lowered wing,
And he went to his subjects with drooping wing,
While his two cloaks enfolded awe and majesty.
On his garments the awe and the majesty clear.
جَوادٌgenerous لَوif اِنَّthat البَحرَthe sea عارَضَrivaled جُودَهُhis generosity
جَوادٌ لَو اِنَّ البَحرَ عارَضَ جُودَهُ
لَماwould not اِبتَلَّbe wetted لِلمُجتازِfor one crossing فيهِthrough it قِبالُa sandal-strap
لَما اِبتَلَّ لِلمُجتازِ فيهِ قِبالُ
So generous that, if the sea rivaled his bounty,
His bounty, had the ocean vied with it
No traveler crossing it would wet a sandal-strap.
Would show no sign of exhaustion as crossers ply,
وَلَوand if أَنَّthat لِلعَضبِfor the keen sword اليَمانِيِّYemeni عَزمَهُhis resolve
وَلَو أَنَّ لِلعَضبِ اليَمانِيِّ عَزمَهُ
لَماwould not كادَهُthwart it أَنَّthat الرُؤوسَthe heads جِبالُmountains
لَما كادَهُ أَنَّ الرُؤوسَ جِبالُ
And if the keen Yemeni sword possessed his resolve,
Had the Indian scimitar his temper's edge
It would not be thwarted even if heads were mountains.
It would not quail though heads were hills on high.
وَلَوand if أَنَّthat لِلضِرغامِfor the lion قَلباًa heart كَقَلبِهِlike his heart
وَلَو أَنَّ لِلضِرغامِ قَلباً كَقَلبِهِ
لَماwould not هالَهُfrighten it أَنَّthat التُرابَthe dust رِجالُmen
لَما هالَهُ أَنَّ التُرابَ رِجالُ
And if a lion had a heart like his,
Had the lion his heart, he would not blench
It would not be daunted even if the dust were men.
Though dust before him rose in human form.
هُوَhe is الشَمسُthe sun نُوراًin radiance وَاِرتِفاعاًand loftiness وَشارَةًand splendor
هُوَ الشَمسُ نُوراً وَاِرتِفاعاً وَشارَةً
كَماas قَدindeed تَسَمّىhe is named وَالمُلوكُand kings ذُبالُlamp-wicks
كَما قَد تَسَمّى وَالمُلوكُ ذُبالُ
He is the sun in radiance, loftiness, and splendor,
He is the sun in splendour and height and mark
As he is called, while kings are lamp-wicks.
As his name denotes him, while kings are night stars.
بِهِthrough him البَصرَةُBasra الفَيحاءُthe spacious أَقبَلَapproached سَعدُهاher good fortune
بِهِ البَصرَةُ الفَيحاءُ أَقبَلَ سَعدُها
وَقَدand indeed كانَthere had been فيهاwithin her لِلنُحوسِfor misfortunes مَجالُscope
وَقَد كانَ فيها لِلنُحوسِ مَجالُ
Through him spacious Basra's good fortune came,
By him Basrah the luminous turned to the fair breeze of fortune
Though misfortunes had once found scope within her.
Though channels for ill luck there used to abound,
تَوَخّىhe attended to شَكاياهاher afflictions الَّتيwhich بَرَحَتcaused agony بِهاto her
تَوَخّى شَكاياها الَّتي بَرَحَت بِها
فَأَبرَأَso he cured مِنهاfrom her الداءَthe disease وَهوَand it was عُضالُintractable
فَأَبرَأَ مِنها الداءَ وَهوَ عُضالُ
He attended to the afflictions that tormented her,
He sought to discover its chronic complaints
And cured her disease, though it was intractable.
And heal disorders however obstinate,
وَلَولاهُand but for him لَمwould not يَبرَحcease مُقيماًremaining بِأَرضِهاin her land
وَلَولاهُ لَم يَبرَح مُقيماً بِأَرضِها
هوانٌhumiliation وَذُلٌّand abasement شامِلٌpervasive وَنَكالُand punishment
هوانٌ وَذُلٌّ شامِلٌ وَنَكالُ
But for him, there would still have remained in her land
But for him still residing in her land
Humiliation, pervasive abasement, and punishment.
Would be abasement, humiliation and defeat.
أَزالَhe removed الأَذىsuffering عَنهاfrom her اِحتِساباًseeking divine reward وَرَغبَةًand with zeal
أَزالَ الأَذى عَنها اِحتِساباً وَرَغبَةً
وَماand not كانَwas مَرجُوّاًhoped for لِذاكَfor that زَوالُan end
وَما كانَ مَرجُوّاً لِذاكَ زَوالُ
He removed her suffering, seeking divine reward and with zeal,
He drove affliction away from her, hoping for reward,
Though an end to it had not been hoped for.
Not as though disappearance of it was his aim,
وَأَقصىand he banished وُلاةَthe governors of الجَورِtyranny عَنهاfrom her حَميَّةًout of protective zeal
وَأَقصى وُلاةَ الجَورِ عَنها حَميَّةً
لِيَسكُنَso that might rest مَرعُوبٌone terrified وَيَنعُمَand might be at ease بالُa mind
لِيَسكُنَ مَرعُوبٌ وَيَنعُمَ بالُ
And banished her governors of tyranny out of protective zeal,
And he exiled from her the despots in his zeal
So the frightened might rest and the mind be at ease.
To calm the terrified and make glad the weak
فَلاso may not عُدِمَتbe lost أَيّامُهُhis days الغُرُّthe radiant إِنَّهاindeed they
فَلا عُدِمَت أَيّامُهُ الغُرُّ إِنَّها
لَتَعدِلُsurely equal طَعمَthe taste of الماءِwater وَهوَand it is زُلالُclear and sweet
لَتَعدِلُ طَعمَ الماءِ وَهوَ زُلالُ
May his radiant days never be lost; they
Never may his days pass, they resemble
Surely equal the taste of water, clear and sweet.
Water's cool taste, and the wish of men for rain,
وَأُقسِمُand I swear ماnot تَأتيbring اللَياليthe nights بِمِثلِهِhis like
وَأُقسِمُ ما تَأتي اللَيالي بِمِثلِهِ
وَأَنّىand how could they وَماand not كُلُّall الرِجالِmen رِجالُtruly men
وَأَنّى وَما كُلُّ الرِجالِ رِجالُ
I swear the nights will never bring his like,
And I swear the nights bring none such as he -
And how could they? Not all men are truly men.
How, when not all men are men of worth?
فَياso, O أَيُّهاyou الساعيthe striver لِيُدرِكَto attain مَجدَهُhis glory
فَيا أَيُّها الساعي لِيُدرِكَ مَجدَهُ
أَفِقawake! إِنَّindeed هَذاthis السَعيَstriving مِنكَfrom you ضَلالُdelusion
أَفِق إِنَّ هَذا السَعيَ مِنكَ ضَلالُ
O you who strive to attain his glory,
O you who seek his glory's pinnacle, awake!
Awake! This striving of yours is delusion.
You will find that course of yours is leading astray.
وَدَعand leave عَنكَaside from yourself ماwhat لاnot تَستَطيعُyou can accomplish فَقَدfor indeed تَرىyou see
وَدَع عَنكَ ما لا تَستَطيعُ فَقَد تَرى
مَساعيَthe achievements of شَمسِShams (sun) الدَينِal-Din (faith) لَيسَnot تُنالُcan be attained
مَساعيَ شَمسِ الدَينِ لَيسَ تُنالُ
Leave aside what you cannot do, for you see
Spare yourself what you cannot attain, since you may see
That Shams al-Din's achievements cannot be attained.
The efforts of Shimsh al-Dawla will never repay.
إِذاif عُدَّwere counted أَهلُthe people of الفَضلِexcellence يَوماًone day فَكُلُّهُمthen all of them
إِذا عُدَّ أَهلُ الفَضلِ يَوماً فَكُلُّهُم
عَلىupon فَضلِهِhis excellence لَوeven if يُنشَرونَthey were resurrected عيالُdependents
عَلى فَضلِهِ لَو يُنشَرونَ عيالُ
If men of excellence are ever counted, all of them
When scholars in merit are told off some day
Are dependents on his excellence, even if resurrected.
Then all are attendants on his superior merit.
لِكُلِّfor every اِمرِئٍman مِنهُمamong them خِصالٌtraits حَمِيدَةٌpraiseworthy
لِكُلِّ اِمرِئٍ مِنهُم خِصالٌ حَمِيدَةٌ
وَلَكِنّbut شَمسَShams (sun) الدّينِal-Din (faith) فيهِin him كَمالُperfection
وَلَكِنّ شَمسَ الدّينِ فيهِ كَمالُ
Each man among them has praiseworthy traits,
To each one come honour and praiseworthy parts
But in Shams al-Din there is perfection.
But to him pertains accomplishment supreme;
تَرىyou see عِندَهُwith him ماwhat عِندَهُمwith them مِنof فَضِيلَةٍvirtue
تَرى عِندَهُ ما عِندَهُم مِن فَضِيلَةٍ
وَفيهِand in him خِلالٌqualities فَوقَهاabove them وَخِلالُand further qualities
وَفيهِ خِلالٌ فَوقَها وَخِلالُ
You find in him every virtue found in them,
In him you observe whatever of grace each owns
And he has qualities above those, and still more qualities:
Together with fine traits none shares but he.
حَياءٌmodesty وَإِقدامٌand boldness وَحِلمٌand forbearance وَقُدرَةٌand power
حَياءٌ وَإِقدامٌ وَحِلمٌ وَقُدرَةٌ
وَحَزمٌand prudence وَجُودٌand generosity لَيسَthere is not فيهِin it مِطالُdelay
وَحَزمٌ وَجُودٌ لَيسَ فيهِ مِطالُ
Modesty, boldness, forbearance, and power,
Modesty, daring, clemency, strength and firm resolve,
Prudence, and generosity without delay,
Bounty unstinting - into bounty none pries -
وَعِلمٌand knowledge وَإِيمانٌand faith وَعَدلٌand justice وَرَأفَةٌand compassion
وَعِلمٌ وَإِيمانٌ وَعَدلٌ وَرَأفَةٌ
وَنُسكٌand worship وَرَهبانِيَّةٌand asceticism وَجَمالُand beauty
وَنُسكٌ وَرَهبانِيَّةٌ وَجَمالُ
Knowledge, faith, justice, and compassion,
Knowledge and faith and justice and tenderness,
Worship, ascetic devotion, and beauty.
Piety, abstinence too, and comeliness;
تَزاحَمَcrowded أَهلُthe people of العِلمِlearning وَالطالِبُوand seekers of النَدىbounty
تَزاحَمَ أَهلُ العِلمِ وَالطالِبُو النَدى
لَدَيهِbefore him لِكُلٍّfor each فيin هَواهُhis desire سُؤالُa request
لَدَيهِ لِكُلٍّ في هَواهُ سُؤالُ
Men of learning and seekers of bounty crowd
He is pressed on by those seeking knowledge or gentle rain
Before him, each with a request suited to his desire.
From the cloud, each with his request free to propose.
فَلِلطّالِبيso for seekers of الفَتوىa legal ruling بَيانٌan explanation مُعَلَّلٌreasoned
فَلِلطّالِبي الفَتوى بَيانٌ مُعَلَّلٌ
كَذاكَlikewise لِطُلّابِfor seekers of النَوالِbounty نَوالُbounty
كَذاكَ لِطُلّابِ النَوالِ نَوالُ
For those seeking a fatwa, there is a reasoned explanation;
To the student of law, solutions meticulously drawn,
Likewise, for seekers of bounty, there is bounty.
To suitors of bounty, bounty he throws.
فِدىًa ransom لَكَfor you ياO تاجَcrown of المُلوكِkings مَعاشِرٌgroups of men
فِدىً لَكَ يا تاجَ المُلوكِ مَعاشِرٌ
سِيادَتُهُمtheir lordship لِلمُسلِمينَfor the Muslims وَبالُa scourge
سِيادَتُهُم لِلمُسلِمينَ وَبالُ
May those men be your ransom, O crown of kings,
A ransom for you, diadem bright of all kings' brows,
Whose lordship brings misery to Muslims.
Your stirring to action means laurels or loss
لَهُمthey have عَنaway from فِعالِdeeds of الخَيرِgood أَيدٍhands قَصيرَةٌshort
لَهُم عَن فِعالِ الخَيرِ أَيدٍ قَصيرَةٌ
وَلَكِنَّهاbut they فيin المُخزِياتِshameful deeds طِوالُlong
وَلَكِنَّها في المُخزِياتِ طِوالُ
Their hands are short when it comes to deeds of good,
To Muslims, while for doing good, hands short is their span
But long when it comes to shameful acts.
But in things scandalous their arms are long.
فَدُونكَso take عِقداًa necklace صاغَهُwrought it الفِكرُthought مِنfrom فَتىًa young man
فَدُونكَ عِقداً صاغَهُ الفِكرُ مِن فَتىً
يَرىwho sees أَنَّthat مَدحاًpraise فيof سِواكَanyone but you خَبالُmadness
يَرى أَنَّ مَدحاً في سِواكَ خَبالُ
So take this necklace, wrought by thought, from a young man
Without you here is a necklace a wise youth's thought knotted -
Who sees praise of anyone but you as madness.
Seeing all praise not addressed, Sir, to you mere gall.
وَلَستُand I am not بِمُهدٍone offering لِلرِجالِto men مَدائِحيmy praises
وَلَستُ بِمُهدٍ لِلرِجالِ مَدائِحي
وَإِنeven if قَلَّdwindles مالٌwealth أَوor تَغَيَّرَchanges حالُa condition
وَإِن قَلَّ مالٌ أَو تَغَيَّرَ حالُ
I do not offer my praises to men,
Nor am I smoothing the path with my eulogies
Even if wealth dwindles or circumstances change;
To the mighty, what though my wealth decline.
وَلَكِنَّbut نُعمىfavor حَرَّكَتنيmoved me وَصُحبَةٌand companionship
وَلَكِنَّ نُعمى حَرَّكَتني وَصُحبَةٌ
وَوُدٌّand affection وَهَذاand this لِلكِرامِfor the noble صِقالُa polish
وَوُدٌّ وَهَذا لِلكِرامِ صِقالُ
But favor moved me, and companionship,
But kindness stirred me, companionship too and love
And affection—these are a polish for the noble.
And for noble hearts this is polish deserved.
فَلاso may not ظَفِرَتseize مِنكَfrom you الأَعاديthe enemies بِغِرَّةٍan unguarded moment
فَلا ظَفِرَت مِنكَ الأَعادي بِغِرَّةٍ
وَلاand may not زِلتَyou cease تَغزُوraiding أَرضَهاtheir land فَتُدالُand so gain ascendancy
وَلا زِلتَ تَغزُو أَرضَها فَتُدالُ
May your enemies never catch you off guard,
Never has foeman snatched sudden advantage of you
And may you ever raid their land and gain the upper hand.
Unawares, while ever you raid on his land.
وَجُزتَand may you surpass المَدىthe utmost limit ياباO Abu شُجاعٍShuja' وَلاand may not عَدَتpass beyond
وَجُزتَ المَدى يابا شُجاعٍ وَلا عَدَت
فِناءَكَyour courtyard مِنfrom بَعدِafter الرِجالِthe men رِحالُsaddles
فِناءَكَ مِن بَعدِ الرِجالِ رِحالُ
May you surpass all bounds, O Abu Shuja', and may no
Full meed you attained, Sir, hero undaunted, your bier is not
Travelers' saddles pass your courtyard after visiting other men.
Followed, after mighty men die, by encamping allies.
Sol 6.1