العِزُّ ما خَضَعَت لِهَيبَتِهِ العِدى

العِزُّ ما خَضَعَت لِهَيبَتِهِ العِدى

وَأَقامَ بِالفِكرِ المُلوكَ وَأَقعَدا

وَأَقامَ بِالفِكرِ المُلوكَ وَأَقعَدا

Honor is that before whose awe enemies bow,

Glory is bowing down before its might enemies,

and which, through thought, sets kings up and brings them down.

And upholding kings with wisdom, enthroning some and dethroning others.

وَالمالُ ما وَقّاكَ ذَمّاً أَو بَنى

وَالمالُ ما وَقّاكَ ذَمّاً أَو بَنى

عَلياكَ أَو أَبقى لِقَومِكَ سُؤدَدا

عَلياكَ أَو أَبقى لِقَومِكَ سُؤدَدا

Wealth is what shields you from blame, or builds

Wealth is what protects you from blame or builds upon you,

your eminence, or preserves your people's lordship.

Or leaves for your people a legacy.

وَالجودُ ما بُلَّت بِهِ رَحِمٌ وَما

وَالجودُ ما بُلَّت بِهِ رَحِمٌ وَما

أَولَيتَ ذا أَمَلٍ أَعَدَّكَ مَقصِدا

أَولَيتَ ذا أَمَلٍ أَعَدَّكَ مَقصِدا

Generosity is what nourishes kinship, and what

Generosity is relatives whose wombs are filled by it,

you bestow upon a hopeful man who makes you his destination.

Or devoting yourself to some hope it has prepared for you.

واللُّؤمُ إِكرامُ اللَّئيمِ لِأَنَّهُ

واللُّؤمُ إِكرامُ اللَّئيمِ لِأَنَّهُ

كَالذِئبِ لَم يَرَ عَدوَةً إِلّا عدا

كَالذِئبِ لَم يَرَ عَدوَةً إِلّا عدا

Baseness is honoring the base man, for he

Vileness is honoring the despicable, for he is

is like a wolf: whenever he sees a chance to attack, he attacks.

Like a wolf who sees none as an enemy but to pounce.

وَالعَزمُ ما تَرَكَ الحديدَ مُفَلّلاً

وَالعَزمُ ما تَرَكَ الحديدَ مُفَلّلاً

وَالخَيلَ حَسرى وَالوَشيجَ مُقَصَّدا

وَالخَيلَ حَسرى وَالوَشيجَ مُقَصَّدا

Resolve is what leaves iron notched,

Resolve leaves iron dangling, horses yearning,

horses exhausted, and spear-shafts shattered.

And the blades of swords intent and thirsting.

وَالنُبلُ فَتككَ بِالمُعادي غادِراً

وَالنُبلُ فَتككَ بِالمُعادي غادِراً

أَو وافياً مُستَنجِداً أَو مُنجِدا

أَو وافياً مُستَنجِداً أَو مُنجِدا

Nobility is your striking down the enemy, treacherously

Nobility has you slay the enemy, traitor or loyal,

or faithfully, seeking aid or giving it.

Attacker or defender indifferently.

غَدرٌ يُعِزُّ وَلا وَفاءٌ مُعقِبٌ

غَدرٌ يُعِزُّ وَلا وَفاءٌ مُعقِبٌ

ذُلّاً وَجَهلٌ كَفَّ ذا جَهلٍ هُدى

ذُلّاً وَجَهلٌ كَفَّ ذا جَهلٍ هُدى

Better treachery that brings honor than fidelity that brings

Treachery brings glory while loyalty leads nowhere,

humiliation; folly that restrains a fool is guidance.

And ignorance silences one in his ignorance.

فَإِذا ظَفَرتَ مِن العَدُوِّ بِغرَّةٍ

فَإِذا ظَفَرتَ مِن العَدُوِّ بِغرَّةٍ

فاِفتِك فَفَتكُ اليَومُ مَنجاةٌ غَدا

فاِفتِك فَفَتكُ اليَومُ مَنجاةٌ غَدا

So when you catch the enemy unguarded,

So if you gain an advantage over the enemy through trickery

strike: today's striking is tomorrow's deliverance.

Then pounce, for the pounce this day brings salvation tomorrow.

وَالحِلمُ في بَعضِ المَواطِنِ ذِلَّةٌ

وَالحِلمُ في بَعضِ المَواطِنِ ذِلَّةٌ

فَاِصفَح وَعاقِب وَاِعجَلَن وَتَأَيَّدا

فَاِصفَح وَعاقِب وَاِعجَلَن وَتَأَيَّدا

Forbearance in some situations is humiliation;

Patience in some situations is but humiliation

so pardon and punish, hasten and act deliberately.

So overlook, take revenge, hurry and take your time.

ما كُلُّ حِلمٍ مُصلِحٌ فَلَطالما

ما كُلُّ حِلمٍ مُصلِحٌ فَلَطالما

غَرَّ السَفيه الحلمُ عَنهُ فَأَفسَدا

غَرَّ السَفيه الحلمُ عَنهُ فَأَفسَدا

Not every act of forbearance reforms; many a time

Not all patience brings good, for often

forbearance toward a fool has deluded him, and he has done harm.

The fool is tempted by patience to greater foolishness.

كُلُّ السِيادَةِ في السَخاءِ وَلَن تَرى

كُلُّ السِيادَةِ في السَخاءِ وَلَن تَرى

ذا البُخلِ يُدعى في العَشيرَةِ سَيِّدا

ذا البُخلِ يُدعى في العَشيرَةِ سَيِّدا

All leadership lies in generosity; never will you see

All glory lies in generosity; ne’er will you see

a miser called a chief among his clan.

The stingy called master in a clan.

وَمِن الخَساسَةِ أَن تَكونَ عَلى العِدى

وَمِن الخَساسَةِ أَن تَكونَ عَلى العِدى

غَيثاً وَفي الأدنين لَيثاً أَلبَدا

غَيثاً وَفي الأدنين لَيثاً أَلبَدا

It is baseness to be toward your enemies

Among the vile acts is showering the enemy

life-giving rain, but among your nearest kin a thick-maned lion.

With rain then pouncing on the weak like a roaring lion.

يا صاحِبَيَّ وَلا أرى لي صاحِباً

يا صاحِبَيَّ وَلا أرى لي صاحِباً

إِلّا إِذا أَوقَدتُ ناراً أَخمَدا

إِلّا إِذا أَوقَدتُ ناراً أَخمَدا

O my two companions—and I see no companion of mine

My friends, I see no friends but those

but one who quenches any fire I kindle.

I befriended only to become my enemies.

قَد كُنتُما عَوني وَقَد أَصبَحتُما

قَد كُنتُما عَوني وَقَد أَصبَحتُما

عَوناً عَلَيَّ فَما عَدا مِمّا بَدا

عَوناً عَلَيَّ فَما عَدا مِمّا بَدا

You two were once my help, and now you have become

Once you were my aides, and have now become

help against me: what has changed from what first appeared?

Aides against me; nothing has changed.

لا تَحمَدِ الكَذِبَ المُزَخرَفَ وَاِحمَدا

لا تَحمَدِ الكَذِبَ المُزَخرَفَ وَاِحمَدا

بَلهاً بِسامِعِهِ وَدَهراً أَنكَدا

بَلهاً بِسامِعِهِ وَدَهراً أَنكَدا

Do not praise embellished lies; rather praise

Do not praise embellished lies, though pleasing

stupidity in their listener, and an ill-fated age.

To the listener; they herald misery and sting bitterly.

لَم يَخفَ حُبُّكُما وَلَكِن لَيسَ لي

لَم يَخفَ حُبُّكُما وَلَكِن لَيسَ لي

رَأيٌ يُطاعُ فَقَرِّبا أَو بَعِّدا

رَأيٌ يُطاعُ فَقَرِّبا أَو بَعِّدا

Your love, you two, was not hidden, but I have no

My love for you is not hidden, but I have no

counsel that is obeyed: so bring near or send away.

Opinion that you would heed, so come nearer or go farther away.

قَد قُلتُ لِلمُصغي لِزُورِكُما اِنتَبِه

قَد قُلتُ لِلمُصغي لِزُورِكُما اِنتَبِه

كَم ذا الرُقادُ وَما أَنى أَن تَرقُدا

كَم ذا الرُقادُ وَما أَنى أَن تَرقُدا

I told the listener to your falsehood, you two, "Awake!

I have said to those lending an ear to your lies: Awake!

How long this slumber? The time to sleep has not come."

How long this slumber, and whither does it lead?

أَهلَكتَ قَومكَ في رِضا الواشي بِها

أَهلَكتَ قَومكَ في رِضا الواشي بِها

ما أَقرَبَ الواشينَ مِنكَ وَأَبعَدا

ما أَقرَبَ الواشينَ مِنكَ وَأَبعَدا

You ruined your people to please the slanderer there;

You destroyed your people pleasing the slanderer;

how close the slanderers are to you—and how far away!

How close is the slanderer to you, yet how far!

فَاِستَبقِ قَومَكَ لِلخُطوبِ وَلا تَكُن

فَاِستَبقِ قَومَكَ لِلخُطوبِ وَلا تَكُن

سَيفاً عَلَيهِم بِالهَلاكِ مُجَرَّدا

سَيفاً عَلَيهِم بِالهَلاكِ مُجَرَّدا

Preserve your people for calamities, and do not be

Outpace your people in struggling, and be not

a sword unsheathed against them for their destruction.

A sword above them poised to strike dead.

وَاِعلَم بِأَنَّ دَليلَ أَمّكِ ما عَدا

وَاِعلَم بِأَنَّ دَليلَ أَمّكِ ما عَدا

يَتلوهُ مُذ صارَ المُشِيرُ مَنِ اِهتَدى

يَتلوهُ مُذ صارَ المُشِيرُ مَنِ اِهتَدى

Know that the guide to your goal has done no more than

Know that the guide for your course is none but

follow him, since the guided man became the counselor.

Who takes counsel since counselors began to give guidance.

وَمِنَ الشَقاءِ إِقامَتي في بَلدَةٍ

وَمِنَ الشَقاءِ إِقامَتي في بَلدَةٍ

لِلّهِ جَدُّ عَدُوِّها ما أَسعَدا

لِلّهِ جَدُّ عَدُوِّها ما أَسعَدا

It is misery that I reside in a town

Among misfortunes is my staying in a land

whose enemy has, by God, such luck—how fortunate he is!

Cursed by God! How its enemy prospers!

لَو حَلَّها كِسرى لَقالَ لِما يَرى

لَو حَلَّها كِسرى لَقالَ لِما يَرى

نَفسي لِمَن يبغي الخَرابَ لَها الفِدا

نَفسي لِمَن يبغي الخَرابَ لَها الفِدا

If Kisra dwelt there, he would say at what he saw,

If it were conquered by Kisra he would say, seeing it:

"My soul is ransom for whoever seeks its ruin."

My soul be sacrificed for one who desires its destruction!

ما بَينَ قَومٍ لا يُصانُ لِجارِهِم

ما بَينَ قَومٍ لا يُصانُ لِجارِهِم

عِرضٌ وَلا يُرجى لِغَيِّهِمُ هُدى

عِرضٌ وَلا يُرجى لِغَيِّهِمُ هُدى

Amid a people who do not safeguard their neighbor's

No good exists between a people who betray their neighbor

honor, and whose waywardness gives no hope of guidance,

And hope for no guidance for their lost ones.

سَوداءُ مُومِسَةٌ أَجَلُّ لَدَيهمُ

سَوداءُ مُومِسَةٌ أَجَلُّ لَدَيهمُ

مِن عالِمٍ حَبرٍ وَأَدنى مَقعَدا

مِن عالِمٍ حَبرٍ وَأَدنى مَقعَدا

a black prostitute is more honored among them

A black bondmaid is more esteemed among them

than a learned scholar, and seated nearer.

Than a learned scholar or revered old man.

وَبِمُصلِحٍ لا بَل بِأَلفي مُصلِحٍ

وَبِمُصلِحٍ لا بَل بِأَلفي مُصلِحٍ

لا يَعدِلونَ خَبيثَ أَصلٍ مُفسِدا

لا يَعدِلونَ خَبيثَ أَصلٍ مُفسِدا

For one reformer—no, for two thousand reformers—

Nay, by a reformer - no, by a thousand reformers -

they would not exchange one corrupt man of foul stock.

They prefer not a man of despicable origin and destructive influence.

لَو قيلَ كُن هُوداً لِأَشرَفِ رُتبَةٍ

لَو قيلَ كُن هُوداً لِأَشرَفِ رُتبَةٍ

مِنهُم وَدونَكَ دِرهَماً لَتَهَوَّدا

مِنهُم وَدونَكَ دِرهَماً لَتَهَوَّدا

If their highest-ranking man were told, "Become Jewish,

If told, be a Jew, to attain a most lofty position among them,

and take a dirham," he would become a Jew.

And a dirham were placed lower than you, you would become a Jew!

يا غافِلاً عَمّا يُرادُ بِهِ اِقتَصِد

يا غافِلاً عَمّا يُرادُ بِهِ اِقتَصِد

في الغَيِّ إِذ جُزتَ الطَريقَ الأَقصَدا

في الغَيِّ إِذ جُزتَ الطَريقَ الأَقصَدا

O man heedless of what is intended for him, be moderate

O blissful ignorance of the wise course! Be content

in your waywardness, since you have passed beyond the straightest path.

When you take the middle road on your journey.

لا تَحسَبَنَّ المَجدَ صَرَّكَ حاجِباً

لا تَحسَبَنَّ المَجدَ صَرَّكَ حاجِباً

شَيناً وَنَزّاعاً كَنَجمِكَ أَسوَدا

شَيناً وَنَزّاعاً كَنَجمِكَ أَسوَدا

Do not think glory lies in your keeping a chamberlain,

Think not glory has marked you with a star

an ugly one, and a snatcher as black as your star,

That is inauspicious and a subject of contention like your black star.

وَتُلُوَّ خَمسَةِ أَكلُبٍ لَو صُويِدَت

وَتُلُوَّ خَمسَةِ أَكلُبٍ لَو صُويِدَت

بِبَناتِ آوى كُنَّ مِنها أَصيَدا

بِبَناتِ آوى كُنَّ مِنها أَصيَدا

and five dogs trailing you: if pitted in hunting

Five mongrels if captured by the daughters of wind

against jackals, the jackals would be better hunters.

Would make better game than they.

إِن أُشبِعَت نامَت وَإِن هِيَ جُوِّعَت

إِن أُشبِعَت نامَت وَإِن هِيَ جُوِّعَت

نَبَحَت وَتُشلِيها فَما تُجدي جَدا

نَبَحَت وَتُشلِيها فَما تُجدي جَدا

If fed, they sleep; if starved,

If satiated they sleep; if starved they

they bark; you urge them on, but they bring no benefit.

Howl but shouting will not drive them away.

المَجدُ طَعنٌ في النُحورِ يَمُدُّهُ

المَجدُ طَعنٌ في النُحورِ يَمُدُّهُ

ضَربٌ يُقامُ لِوَقعِهِ صَعرُ العِدا

ضَربٌ يُقامُ لِوَقعِهِ صَعرُ العِدا

Glory is thrusting into throats, reinforced

Glory is a piercing stab in the breasts that

by blows whose impact straightens the enemies' proudly tilted necks,

A blow straightens - it brings the enemies flocking.

وَسَماحُ كَفٍّ لا يُمَنُّ نَوالُها

وَسَماحُ كَفٍّ لا يُمَنُّ نَوالُها

إِنَّ النَوالَ إِذا يُمَنُّ تَنَكَّدا

إِنَّ النَوالَ إِذا يُمَنُّ تَنَكَّدا

and the generosity of a hand whose bounty is not reproachfully recalled:

And open-handedness in a palm that does not

bounty turns bitter when its giver keeps reminding you of it.

Count its gifts - for gifts if counted lose their charm.

ما أَنتَ فيهِ سَحابُ صَيفٍ يَنجَلي

ما أَنتَ فيهِ سَحابُ صَيفٍ يَنجَلي

عَن ساعَةٍ فَليُبرِقَن أَو يُرعِدا

عَن ساعَةٍ فَليُبرِقَن أَو يُرعِدا

Your present state is a summer cloud that clears

You are not a summer cloud to soon disappear

after an hour; let it flash or thunder.

After an hour - you shall flash with light or rumble with thunder!

فَأَلِن لِذي القُربى جَنابَكَ لينَهُ

فَأَلِن لِذي القُربى جَنابَكَ لينَهُ

لِعَدُوّكَ اِستَشرى عَلَيكَ وَعَربَدا

لِعَدُوّكَ اِستَشرى عَلَيكَ وَعَربَدا

So show your kin the gentle bearing you showed

So to a relative be gently kind, and to the enemy

your enemy, who grew insolent toward you and ran riot.

Be rough and bristle.

وَاِعرِف عَلى حامٍ لِسامٍ فَضلهُ

وَاِعرِف عَلى حامٍ لِسامٍ فَضلهُ

لِتَكونَ في بَعضِ الأُمورِ مُسَدَّدا

لِتَكونَ في بَعضِ الأُمورِ مُسَدَّدا

Acknowledge Shem's superiority over Ham,

Know the superiority of a protector over the protected that you may

that you may be rightly guided in some affairs.

Be rightly guided in some matters.

فَلَتَندَمَنَّ وَلاتَ حينَ نَدامَةٍ

فَلَتَندَمَنَّ وَلاتَ حينَ نَدامَةٍ

تُغني وَمَن سُقيَ المُدامَةِ غَرَّدا

تُغني وَمَن سُقيَ المُدامَةِ غَرَّدا

You will surely regret it, when it is no time for remorse

You will regret days that do not profit

to avail; whoever is given wine sings.

When the cup of life is drained; song will not help the sobered heart.

وَمَتى يَنلني بِالهَوانِ مُعلهَجٌ

وَمَتى يَنلني بِالهَوانِ مُعلهَجٌ

خَطَأً أَنَلهُ ضِعفَهُ مُتَعمِّدا

خَطَأً أَنَلهُ ضِعفَهُ مُتَعمِّدا

Whenever a man of mixed stock humiliates me

Whenever an ignoble one attacks me wrongfully

by mistake, I give him twice as much deliberately.

I shall repay him in his weakness deliberately.

ذو الحِلمِ يَجهَلُ وَالتَغافُلُ ذِلَّةٌ

ذو الحِلمِ يَجهَلُ وَالتَغافُلُ ذِلَّةٌ

وَالصَبرُ مُرٌّ وَالمَلومُ مَن اِعتَدى

وَالصَبرُ مُرٌّ وَالمَلومُ مَن اِعتَدى

A forbearing man may act rashly; feigned heedlessness is humiliation.

The forbearing are ignorant, and overlooking is disgrace;

Patience is bitter, and the blame rests with the aggressor.

Patience is bitter, and blameworthy is he who transgresses.

أَتَظُنُّني أَرضى بِحَسيِكَ مَنهَلاً

أَتَظُنُّني أَرضى بِحَسيِكَ مَنهَلاً

تَبّاً لِحَسيكَ أَحمَقاً ما أَبرَدا

تَبّاً لِحَسيكَ أَحمَقاً ما أَبرَدا

Do you think I would accept your sandy well as a watering place?

Think you I would be content with your refuse as a watering place?

Damn your well, fool—how cold it is!

Away with your refuse, ignorant fool! How icy your watering place!

وَأَغَرُّ واري الزَندِ عِفتُ حِباءَهُ

وَأَغَرُّ واري الزَندِ عِفتُ حِباءَهُ

كِبراً فَكَيفَ بِهِ أَغَمَّ مُزَنَّدا

كِبراً فَكَيفَ بِهِ أَغَمَّ مُزَنَّدا

I spurned the gift of a bright-faced man whose fire-stick sparked,

More deluded than I is one whose self-conceit

out of pride—how then accept it from a hairy-browed miser?

Has duped him - how can one who is deluded counsel?

لا عِشتُ إِن نَوَّهتُ بِاِسمِكَ داعياً

لا عِشتُ إِن نَوَّهتُ بِاِسمِكَ داعياً

وَالمَوتُ آتٍ وَالرَدى رَأسُ المَدى

وَالمَوتُ آتٍ وَالرَدى رَأسُ المَدى

May I not live if I proclaim your name in invocation;

Were I to live yet acclaim your name, invoking it,

death is coming, and destruction is the end of the course.

While death comes, man's fate, and decay is time's advance.

لَو كُنتَ يا فَسلَ الحَمِيَّةِ في النَدى

لَو كُنتَ يا فَسلَ الحَمِيَّةِ في النَدى

وَالبَأس كَاِبنِ أَبي عَزيزٍ ما عَدا

وَالبَأس كَاِبنِ أَبي عَزيزٍ ما عَدا

Even if, O man of feeble pride, you were in generosity

O noble in valor! Were you by merit to lead in glory and struggle

and courage like Ibn Abi Aziz, and no more.

The like of the son of Abu 'Aziz, you would have no equal.

ذاكَ الَّذي لَم تَعلُ رايَة سُؤدَدٍ

ذاكَ الَّذي لَم تَعلُ رايَة سُؤدَدٍ

مُنذُ اِحتَبى إِلّا وَبَلَّ بِها يَدا

مُنذُ اِحتَبى إِلّا وَبَلَّ بِها يَدا

He is the one for whom no banner of lordship has risen,

He whose standard no assembly since it rallied

since he first sat with knees bound, without his hand partaking in it.

Has ever lowered - handed from one bearer to another.

ذاكَ الَّذي أَحيا البِلادَ وَقَبلهُ

ذاكَ الَّذي أَحيا البِلادَ وَقَبلهُ

كانَت وَمَن فيها رَماداً أَرمَدا

كانَت وَمَن فيها رَماداً أَرمَدا

He is the one who revived the lands; before him

He who revived the lands when all before him

they and their inhabitants were ashen-gray ashes.

Lived in them like cinders quenched and worn out.

ذاكَ الَّذي لَو سارَ أَعمى في الدُجى

ذاكَ الَّذي لَو سارَ أَعمى في الدُجى

بِضياءِ غُرَّتِهِ لَأَبصَرَ وَاِهتَدى

بِضياءِ غُرَّتِهِ لَأَبصَرَ وَاِهتَدى

He is the one such that, if a blind man traveled in darkness,

He who ruled the world as a child, and stood forth in his youth

by his forehead's radiance he would see and find his way.

A colossus who built towering edifices.

مُعدي مَنِ اِستَعدى وَسُمُّ مَنِ اِعتَدى

مُعدي مَنِ اِستَعدى وَسُمُّ مَنِ اِعتَدى

وَهُدى مَنِ اِستَهدى وَغَيثُ مَن اِجتَدى

وَهُدى مَنِ اِستَهدى وَغَيثُ مَن اِجتَدى

The champion of those who seek redress, the poison of aggressors,

His forefathers from 'Abd Qays - the best stock,

the guide of those who seek guidance, the rain of those who seek gifts,

Most generous, noblest in repute.

مُردي حُروبٍ مُنذُ كانَ مُعاوِدٌ

مُردي حُروبٍ مُنذُ كانَ مُعاوِدٌ

لِلكَرِّ مَخشِيُّ القَناةِ إِذا رَدى

لِلكَرِّ مَخشِيُّ القَناةِ إِذا رَدى

a slayer in wars, ever since he came to be, returning repeatedly

A people who ruled the lands and subjugated

to the charge, his lance feared when he advances.

The recalcitrant, elucidating the paths of guidance.

لَو قُسِّمَت في الأسدِ نَجدَتُهُ لَما

لَو قُسِّمَت في الأسدِ نَجدَتُهُ لَما

رَضِيَت لِأَشبُلِها العرينَة مَولِدا

رَضِيَت لِأَشبُلِها العرينَة مَولِدا

If his courage were distributed among lions, they would not

Their days in pagan times were all

accept the den as a birthplace for their cubs.

White, putting opponents to shame for their blackened days.

لَو أَنَّ لِلعَضبِ المُهَنَّدِ جَوهَراً

لَو أَنَّ لِلعَضبِ المُهَنَّدِ جَوهَراً

مِن عَزمِهِ لفَرى الجَماجِمَ مُغمَدا

مِن عَزمِهِ لفَرى الجَماجِمَ مُغمَدا

If the sharp Indian-made sword had an essence

The virtue of Islam was theirs when they rose in it

drawn from his resolve, it would cleave skulls while sheathed.

To Truth, taking the clearest, straightest road.

جَرّارُ كُلِّ كَتيبَةٍ رَجراجَةٍ

جَرّارُ كُلِّ كَتيبَةٍ رَجراجَةٍ

يَجلو السِماكَ غُبارُها وَالفَرقَدا

يَجلو السِماكَ غُبارُها وَالفَرقَدا

He leads every surging battalion

Who meets Ibrahim meets the most splendid of nobles,

whose dust burnishes al-Simak and al-Farqad.

The ascetic who devoted himself to God and detached from the world.

يَعدو بِهِ يَومَ الكَريهَةِ سابِحٌ

يَعدو بِهِ يَومَ الكَريهَةِ سابِحٌ

نَهدٌ يَروقُ مُجَلَّلاً وَمُجَرَّدا

نَهدٌ يَروقُ مُجَلَّلاً وَمُجَرَّدا

A swimming-gaited steed carries him at a gallop on battle-day,

I give greetings to Aziz and his son and his grandson

stout, splendid both caparisoned and bare.

And Abu Aziz: Abdallah and Muhammad.

تَشتاقُ أَندِيَةَ الطِعانِ سِنانُهُ

تَشتاقُ أَندِيَةَ الطِعانِ سِنانُهُ

لِيَبُلَّ مِن ماءِ النُحورِ بِها الصَدى

لِيَبُلَّ مِن ماءِ النُحورِ بِها الصَدى

His spearhead yearns for the gatherings of lance-combat,

O Father of Ali, none like you responds

to slake its thirst there with the water of throats.

To the most high call! Rise to which naught can aspire!

وَحُسامُهُ يَشكو الغَليلَ وَما بِهِ

وَحُسامُهُ يَشكو الغَليلَ وَما بِهِ

ظَمَأٌ وَلَكِن يَبتَغي ما عُوِّدا

ظَمَأٌ وَلَكِن يَبتَغي ما عُوِّدا

His sword complains of burning thirst, though it has

O sole one! Every father among them

no thirst; it only seeks what it has been accustomed to.

Is called by the clan's consensus: "The unique one!"

لَو سالَ ما سُقِيَ المُهَنَّدُ مِن دَمٍ

لَو سالَ ما سُقِيَ المُهَنَّدُ مِن دَمٍ

مُذ سَلَّهُ لَرَأَيتَ بَحراً مُزبِدا

مُذ سَلَّهُ لَرَأَيتَ بَحراً مُزبِدا

If all the blood the Indian-made sword has drunk flowed out,

Were it not for you, starvation would have been my lot

since he first drew it, you would see a foaming sea.

And I attained no glory; but you scaled the heights.

مَلأَ المَسامِعَ وَالمَجامِعَ ذِكرُهُ

مَلأَ المَسامِعَ وَالمَجامِعَ ذِكرُهُ

وَأَغارَ في كُلِّ البِلادِ وَأَنجَدا

وَأَغارَ في كُلِّ البِلادِ وَأَنجَدا

His fame has filled ears and gatherings,

And I would have been forbidden the company of a people whose

ranging through all lands, lowland and highland.

Honor and wealth were squandered among them.

سادَ الوَرى طِفلاً وَبَرَّزَ يافِعاً

سادَ الوَرى طِفلاً وَبَرَّزَ يافِعاً

لَم يَتَّغِر وَبَنى المكارِمَ أَمرَدا

لَم يَتَّغِر وَبَنى المكارِمَ أَمرَدا

He ruled mankind as a child and excelled as a youth,

So my praise of them and all my coins

before his teeth had changed, and built noble deeds while beardless.

Are my treasure - empty their hands of their coldness!

آباؤُهُ مِن عَبدِ قَيسٍ خَيرُها

آباؤُهُ مِن عَبدِ قَيسٍ خَيرُها

حَسَباً وَأَكرَمُهم وَأوسعُها ندى

حَسَباً وَأَكرَمُهم وَأوسعُها ندى

His forefathers, of Abd Qays, were its finest

Iblis is dead! So trust in the friendship of Majid

in lineage, its noblest, and its most generous.

Who, if reconciled, reconciles, and if hostile is opposed.

قَومٌ هُمُ مَلَكوا البِلادَ وَدَوَّخوا

قَومٌ هُمُ مَلَكوا البِلادَ وَدَوَّخوا

أَهلَ العِنادِ وَأَوضَحُوا سُبُلَ الهُدى

أَهلَ العِنادِ وَأَوضَحُوا سُبُلَ الهُدى

A people who ruled the lands and subdued

He regards affection and kinship, not like those who,

the stubborn, and made clear the paths of guidance.

If you stand, sleep, and if you ignore them, become angry.

أَيّامُهُم في الجاهِلِيَّةِ كُلُّها

أَيّامُهُم في الجاهِلِيَّةِ كُلُّها

بِيضٌ تُعيرُ الخَصمَ وَجهاً أَسوَدا

بِيضٌ تُعيرُ الخَصمَ وَجهاً أَسوَدا

Their days in the age before Islam were all

You are pleased with his words, and were it not for his weakness

white, lending their foe a blackened face.

His thrusts would be hotter than the flames of Hell.

وَفَضيلَةُ الإِسلامِ فيهم إِذ عَلوا

وَفَضيلَةُ الإِسلامِ فيهم إِذ عَلوا

فيهِ إِلى الحَقِّ الطَريقَ الأَرشَدا

فيهِ إِلى الحَقِّ الطَريقَ الأَرشَدا

The excellence of Islam is theirs, since they rose

So strike your enemy with me and you will find me

within it by the surest path to truth.

Raging, not to be cowed, a slashing sword.

مَن يَلقَ إِبراهيمَ يِلقَ الأَروَعَ الن

مَن يَلقَ إِبراهيمَ يِلقَ الأَروَعَ الن

نَدبَ الهُمامَ الناسِكَ المُتَهَجِّدا

نَدبَ الهُمامَ الناسِكَ المُتَهَجِّدا

Whoever meets Ibrahim meets the splendid,

I have accepted you as father, brother, paternal uncle, cousin

gallant, magnanimous, devout man who prays at night.

And son of an uncle - for life you are my lord.

أَحيي عَزيزاً وَاِبنَهُ وَاِبنَ اِبنِهِ

أَحيي عَزيزاً وَاِبنَهُ وَاِبنَ اِبنِهِ

وَأَبا عَزيزٍ عَبدَلاً وَمُحمَّدا

وَأَبا عَزيزٍ عَبدَلاً وَمُحمَّدا

I salute Aziz, his son, and his son's son,

Take me as a son thus, and even as a slave,

and Abu Aziz, Abdal, and Muhammad.

Willingly to sacrifice himself for you against the bitter events of Fate.

يا با عَليٍّ غَيرَ منعِيٍّ أَجِب

يا با عَليٍّ غَيرَ منعِيٍّ أَجِب

داعي العُلى وَاِذمُم لَها أَن تُوءَدا

داعي العُلى وَاِذمُم لَها أَن تُوءَدا

O Abu Ali, never to be mourned, answer

I shall direct to your exaltedness poetry

the call of greatness, and condemn its being buried alive.

That makes the long-winded poet forget his zeal and purpose.

يا واحِداً ما زالَ كُلُّ أَبٍ لَهُ

يا واحِداً ما زالَ كُلُّ أَبٍ لَهُ

يُدعى بِإِجماعِ العَشيرَةِ أَوحَدا

يُدعى بِإِجماعِ العَشيرَةِ أَوحَدا

O unique man, every father of his has always

About you speak the most precious pearls

been called unrivaled by the clan's unanimous voice.

That exhaust the eloquent and render the strongly worded speechless.

لَولاكَ لَم تَرَني الحَساءُ وَلَم أَجُز

لَولاكَ لَم تَرَني الحَساءُ وَلَم أَجُز

بِالخَطِّ بَل جُزتَ العَواصِمِ مُصعِدا

بِالخَطِّ بَل جُزتَ العَواصِمِ مُصعِدا

But for you, al-Hasa would not have seen me, nor would I have passed

May your Lord guard you wherever you are for time

through al-Khatt; rather I would have crossed al-Awasim, heading upland.

Immortal, for you remain as time itself remains.

وَلَكانَ لي مَندوحَةٌ عَن مَعشَرٍ

وَلَكانَ لي مَندوحَةٌ عَن مَعشَرٍ

عِرضُ الكَريمِ وَمالُهُ فيهم سُدى

عِرضُ الكَريمِ وَمالُهُ فيهم سُدى

And I would have had an alternative to a people

And may I see in your son what you would wish, and may he live

among whom a noble man's honor and wealth go to waste.

Who envies you - as long as the wounded asp lives!

مَدحي لَهُم وَعَلى صِحاحِ دَراهِمي

مَدحي لَهُم وَعَلى صِحاحِ دَراهِمي

خَيري فَشُلّوا أَيدياً ما أَجمَدا

خَيري فَشُلّوا أَيدياً ما أَجمَدا

My praise is theirs, while upon my full-weight dirhams rests

To you these words like pearls - though pearls

my welfare; may their hands be paralyzed—how miserly!

Put the Farazdaq to shame with their stringing and engraving.

إِبليسُ ماتَ فَثِق بَصُحبَةِ ماجِدٍ

إِبليسُ ماتَ فَثِق بَصُحبَةِ ماجِدٍ

إِن صُلتَ صالَ وَإِن عَدَوتَ بِهِ عَدا

إِن صُلتَ صالَ وَإِن عَدَوتَ بِهِ عَدا

Iblis is dead: trust in the company of a noble man

who attacks when you attack, and rushes when you rush with him.

يَرعى المَوَدَّةَ وَالقَرابَةَ لا كَمَن

يَرعى المَوَدَّةَ وَالقَرابَةَ لا كَمَن

إِن قُمتَ نامَ وَإِن تُسَكِّتهُ حَدا

إِن قُمتَ نامَ وَإِن تُسَكِّتهُ حَدا

He preserves affection and kinship, unlike one who,

when you rise, sleeps, and when you silence him, chants.

يُرضيكَ منطِقُهُ وَلَولا ضَعفُهُ

يُرضيكَ منطِقُهُ وَلَولا ضَعفُهُ

للَقيتَ مِنهُ أَحَرَّ مِن حَزِّ المدى

للَقيتَ مِنهُ أَحَرَّ مِن حَزِّ المدى

His speech pleases you; were it not for his weakness,

you would find from him something hotter than the cuts of blades.

فَاِضرِب عَدُوَّكَ بِي تَجِدني صارِماً

فَاِضرِب عَدُوَّكَ بِي تَجِدني صارِماً

عَضباً يَفُلُّ وَلا يُفَلُّ مُهنَّدا

عَضباً يَفُلُّ وَلا يُفَلُّ مُهنَّدا

Strike your enemy with me: you will find me a keen blade,

sharp and Indian-made, blunting others but never blunted.

فَلَقَد رَضيتَكَ والِداً وَأَخاً وَعَم

فَلَقَد رَضيتَكَ والِداً وَأَخاً وَعَم

ماً وَاِبنَ عَمٍّ ما حَييتُ وَسَيِّدا

ماً وَاِبنَ عَمٍّ ما حَييتُ وَسَيِّدا

I have indeed accepted you as father, brother, and uncle,

and cousin, for as long as I live, and as lord.

وَاِستَصفِني وَلَداً كَذَلِكَ خادِماً

وَاِستَصفِني وَلَداً كَذَلِكَ خادِماً

لَو يَستَطيعُ فَداكَ مِن صَرفِ الرَدى

لَو يَستَطيعُ فَداكَ مِن صَرفِ الرَدى

Choose me as a son, and likewise as a servant

who, if he could, would ransom you from death's vicissitudes.

وَلَأُهدِيَنَّ إِلى عُلاكَ مَدائِحاً

وَلَأُهدِيَنَّ إِلى عُلاكَ مَدائِحاً

يُنسيكَ شاديها الغَريضَ وَمَعبَدا

يُنسيكَ شاديها الغَريضَ وَمَعبَدا

I shall surely offer praises to your high rank,

whose singer will make you forget al-Gharid and Ma'bad.

فَكَلاكَ رَبُّكَ حَيثُ كُنتَ بِحفظِهِ

فَكَلاكَ رَبُّكَ حَيثُ كُنتَ بِحفظِهِ

وَبَقيتَ ما بَقِيَ الزَمانُ مُخَلَّدا

وَبَقيتَ ما بَقِيَ الزَمانُ مُخَلَّدا

May your Lord guard you, wherever you are, with His protection,

and may you remain forever, as long as time remains.

وَأَراكَ في اِبنكَ ما تُحِبُّ وَعاشَ مَن

وَأَراكَ في اِبنكَ ما تُحِبُّ وَعاشَ مَن

يَشناكُما ما عاشَ أَكمَدَ أَكبَدا

يَشناكُما ما عاشَ أَكمَدَ أَكبَدا

May He show you in your son what you love; and may he live who

hates you both, all his life grief-stricken and liver-sore.

وَإِلَيكَ مَن دُرِّ الكَلامِ جَواهِراً

وَإِلَيكَ مَن دُرِّ الكَلامِ جَواهِراً

يُعيي الفَرَزدَقَ نَظمُها وَمُزَرِّدا

يُعيي الفَرَزدَقَ نَظمُها وَمُزَرِّدا

Here for you are jewels from the pearls of speech,

whose stringing would weary al-Farazdaq and Muzarrid.