أَلا رَحَلَت نُعمٌ وَأَقفَرَ نعمانُ

أَلا رَحَلَت نُعمٌ وَأَقفَرَ نعمانُ

فَبُح بِاِسمِها إِن عَزَّ صَبرٌ وَسُلوانُ

فَبُح بِاِسمِها إِن عَزَّ صَبرٌ وَسُلوانُ

Lo, Nu'm has departed, and Na'man is desolate.

Alas, the good days have gone and Ne'man's days are barren,

So speak her name if patience and consolation are hard to find.

So weep for their memory if patience and solace are difficult,

شُرَيكِيَّةٌ مُرِّيَّةٌ حَلَّ أَهلُها

شُرَيكِيَّةٌ مُرِّيَّةٌ حَلَّ أَهلُها

بِحَيثُ تَلاقى بَطنُ مرٍّ وَمرّانُ

بِحَيثُ تَلاقى بَطنُ مرٍّ وَمرّانُ

A woman of Shurayk and Murra, whose people settled

An abominable and perverse community whose people

Where the valley of Marr and Marran meet.

Have come together at the meeting point of bitterness and ranchor,

وَعَهدي بِها إِذ ذاكَ وَالشَملُ جامِعٌ

وَعَهدي بِها إِذ ذاكَ وَالشَملُ جامِعٌ

وَصَفوُ التَداني لَم يُدارِكهُ هِجرانُ

وَصَفوُ التَداني لَم يُدارِكهُ هِجرانُ

I remember her then, when our company was united,

And I remember it when we were all together

And estrangement had not overtaken the purity of closeness.

And the sweetness of such intimacy was not marred by estrangement,

وَنَحنُ جَميعاً صالِحُونَ وَحالُنا

وَنَحنُ جَميعاً صالِحُونَ وَحالُنا

تَسُوءُ العِدى وَالكُلُّ في اللَهوِ جَذلانُ

تَسُوءُ العِدى وَالكُلُّ في اللَهوِ جَذلانُ

We were all on good terms, and our state

And we were all upright yet inclined to wrongdoing, absorbed in frivolity,

Distressed our foes, while everyone rejoiced in pleasure.

Many a day of frivolity I witnessed and many a night,

فَكَم يَومِ لَهوٍ قَد شَهِدتُ وَلَيلَةٍ

فَكَم يَومِ لَهوٍ قَد شَهِدتُ وَلَيلَةٍ

وَلَيسَ عَلَينا لِلعَواذِلِ سُلطانُ

وَلَيسَ عَلَينا لِلعَواذِلِ سُلطانُ

How many a day of pleasure I witnessed, and a night,

With no power given to evildoers over us,

When the reproaching women had no sway over us.

We would go and return seeing no treachery as a trait

نَروحُ وَنَغدُو لا نَرى الغَدرَ شِيمَةً

نَروحُ وَنَغدُو لا نَرى الغَدرَ شِيمَةً

وَلا بَينَنا في الوَصلِ مَطلٌ وَلَيّانُ

وَلا بَينَنا في الوَصلِ مَطلٌ وَلَيّانُ

We went out at evening and morning, never taking treachery as our way,

And no hesitation or wavering in our intimacy,

With neither delay nor evasion between us in love.

And a maiden losing her way came upon me and saw

وَمُبدِيَةٍ تِيهاً عَلَيَّ وَقَد رَأَت

وَمُبدِيَةٍ تِيهاً عَلَيَّ وَقَد رَأَت

بَياضاً بِرأسي قَد بَدا مِنهُ رَيعانُ

بَياضاً بِرأسي قَد بَدا مِنهُ رَيعانُ

And a woman displayed disdain toward me, having seen

Whiteness in my hair which had begun to show,

White upon my head, its first bloom now appearing.

So I said to her, "No, daughter of the tribe, I

فَقُلتُ لَها لا يا اِبنَةَ القَومِ إِنَّني

فَقُلتُ لَها لا يا اِبنَةَ القَومِ إِنَّني

أَعِزُّ إِذا ذَلَّت كُهُولٌ وَشُبّانُ

أَعِزُّ إِذا ذَلَّت كُهُولٌ وَشُبّانُ

So I said to her: No, daughter of the tribe, I

Am honored when elders and youths are humiliated."

Stand mighty when mature men and youths are humbled.

"And I am of a proud, honored people.

وَإِنّي لَمِن قَومٍ أُباةٍ أَعِزَّةٍ

وَإِنّي لَمِن قَومٍ أُباةٍ أَعِزَّةٍ

مَصالِيت ما خامُوا قَديماً وَلا خانُوا

مَصالِيت ما خامُوا قَديماً وَلا خانُوا

Indeed, I belong to a defiant, mighty people,

My traits have always been steadfast and they never betrayed.

Intrepid men who never shrank in days of old, nor betrayed.

My lineage is clear, as Ma'add and then Adnan know,

لِيَ النَسَبُ الوَضّاحُ قَد عَلِمَت بِهِ

لِيَ النَسَبُ الوَضّاحُ قَد عَلِمَت بِهِ

مَعَدٌّ إِذا عُدَّ الفَخارُ وَعَدنانُ

مَعَدٌّ إِذا عُدَّ الفَخارُ وَعَدنانُ

Mine is a radiant lineage, well known to

When Quda'a boasts of Dhu Jadmah and the honor ropes of Qahtan sway

Ma'add and 'Adnan whenever glories are reckoned.

And the donkey clan comes with the sons of ewes,

إِذا اِفتَخَرَت بِالضَجعَمِيِّينَ قَومها

إِذا اِفتَخَرَت بِالضَجعَمِيِّينَ قَومها

قُضاعَةُ وَاِنتاشَت عُرى العِزِّ قَحطانُ

قُضاعَةُ وَاِنتاشَت عُرى العِزِّ قَحطانُ

When the Daj'amids, her people, are vaunted

And Kahlan stretches out her forelegs in vainglory,

By Quda'a, and Qahtan grasps the bonds of might,

The Helpers of Aus and Khazraj said to us, 'It is enough pride

وَجاءَت بِأَولادِ التَبابِعِ حِميَرٌ

وَجاءَت بِأَولادِ التَبابِعِ حِميَرٌ

وَمَدَّت بَضَبعَيها إِلى الفَخرِ كَهلانُ

وَمَدَّت بَضَبعَيها إِلى الفَخرِ كَهلانُ

And Himyar brings forth the offspring of the Tubba' kings,

For you to have mention and glory.'

And Kahlan stretches both arms toward glory,

And the clan of Ka'b came with the slave from Ma'dan,

وَقالُوا لَنا الأَنصارُ أَوسٌ وَخَزرَجٌ

وَقالُوا لَنا الأَنصارُ أَوسٌ وَخَزرَجٌ

وَحَسبُكَ مِن فَخرٍ لَهُ الذِكرُ وَالشانُ

وَحَسبُكَ مِن فَخرٍ لَهُ الذِكرُ وَالشانُ

And they say: Ours are the Ansar, Aws and Khazraj,

And Tay and Nabhan swayed with the abundance of cavalry.

And enough for you is glory of such renown and stature;

And they recounted Aus and Hatim over meat dishes,

وَجاءَت بَنُو كَعبٍ بِعَبدِ مَدانِها

وَجاءَت بَنُو كَعبٍ بِعَبدِ مَدانِها

وَطالَت بِزَيدِ الخَيلِ طَيٌّ وَنَبهانُ

وَطالَت بِزَيدِ الخَيلِ طَيٌّ وَنَبهانُ

And Banu Ka'b brings forth its 'Abd al-Madan,

Trusting that no human could equal them,

And Tayy and Nabhan rise high through Zayd al-Khayl;

And the clan of Lakhm proclaimed glory for Munthir,

وَعَدُّوا عَلى العِلّاتِ أَوساً وَحاتِماً

وَعَدُّوا عَلى العِلّاتِ أَوساً وَحاتِماً

عَلى ثِقَةٍ أَن لا يُسامِيهِ إِنسانُ

عَلى ثِقَةٍ أَن لا يُسامِيهِ إِنسانُ

And despite all shortcomings, they count Aws and Hatim,

'Amr and Nu'man - and Nu'man is enough for you!

Confident that no man can rival him;

And the Sassanids enumerated Kisra, Hurmuz and Sabur,

وَقامَت تَرُومُ المَجدَ لَخمٌ بِمُنذِرٍ

وَقامَت تَرُومُ المَجدَ لَخمٌ بِمُنذِرٍ

وَعَمرٍو وَنُعمانٍ وَحَسبُكَ نُعمانُ

وَعَمرٍو وَنُعمانٍ وَحَسبُكَ نُعمانُ

And Lakhm rises to seek glory through Mundhir,

With the succeeding kings and Sassan was their ancestor.

And 'Amr and Nu'man—and Nu'man is enough for you;

So my elite people energetically dispelled Quda'a,

وَعَدَّت بَنُو ساسانَ كِسرى وَهُرمُزاً

وَعَدَّت بَنُو ساسانَ كِسرى وَهُرمُزاً

وَسابُورَ وَالأَملاكَ أَعقَبَ ساسانُ

وَسابُورَ وَالأَملاكَ أَعقَبَ ساسانُ

And the descendants of Sasan count Kisra and Hurmuz,

And Caleb and Nahd and Khaulan submitted to them,

And Sabur, and the kings descended from Sasan;

And they split the skull of the donkey clan when she was swollen,

فَقَومي الأُلى أَجلُوا قُضاعَةَ عَنوَةً

فَقَومي الأُلى أَجلُوا قُضاعَةَ عَنوَةً

وَدانَت لَهُم كَلبٌ وَنَهدٌ وَخَولانُ

وَدانَت لَهُم كَلبٌ وَنَهدٌ وَخَولانُ

Then my people are those who expelled Quda'a by force,

Quthazah would acknowledge it, as would the wadi of Sulan,

And Kalb, Nahd, and Khawlan submitted to them.

On a morning when the donkeys retreated in their hordes

وَهُم فَلَّقُوا هامَ التَبابِعِ إِذ طَغَت

وَهُم فَلَّقُوا هامَ التَبابِعِ إِذ طَغَت

يُقِرُّ بِهِ وادي خَزازى وَسُلّانُ

يُقِرُّ بِهِ وادي خَزازى وَسُلّانُ

They split the heads of the Tubba' kings when they grew tyrannical;

And the steeds tasted havoc at the meeting point of the horses and warriors,

The valley of Khazaza and Sullan bear witness to it.

And they struck down Ma'dan's slave with shields

غَداةَ تَوَلَّت حِميرٌ في جُمُوعِها

غَداةَ تَوَلَّت حِميرٌ في جُمُوعِها

وَذاقَ الرَدى في مُلتَقى الخَيلِ صُهبانُ

وَذاقَ الرَدى في مُلتَقى الخَيلِ صُهبانُ

On the morning Himyar fled amid its hosts,

As swords and bows were drawn against them,

And Suhban tasted death where the cavalry met.

And after the Prophet they supported his successor,

وَهُم ضَرَبُوا عَبدا المدانِ بِمَنعَةٍ

وَهُم ضَرَبُوا عَبدا المدانِ بِمَنعَةٍ

وَقَد شُرِعَت فِيهِم سُيوفٌ وَخِرصانُ

وَقَد شُرِعَت فِيهِم سُيوفٌ وَخِرصانُ

They struck 'Abd al-Madan amid strong defenses,

And support for him is not equal to abandoning him.

While swords and spearheads were leveled against them.

And the horses of the abundant cavalry came to them in defeat,

وَهُم نَصَرُوا بَعدَ النَبِيِّ وَصِيَّهُ

وَهُم نَصَرُوا بَعدَ النَبِيِّ وَصِيَّهُ

ولا يَستَوي نَصرٌ لَدَيهِ وَخِذلانُ

ولا يَستَوي نَصرٌ لَدَيهِ وَخِذلانُ

After the Prophet, they supported his appointed successor,

Captives, while the atmosphere was filled with buzzing arrows,

And support and abandonment are not equal in his eyes.

And were it not for the protection of Yazid ibn Mus'hir,

وَجاءَت بِزَيدِ الخَيلِ قَسراً خُيُولُهُم

وَجاءَت بِزَيدِ الخَيلِ قَسراً خُيُولُهُم

أَسيراً لَها وَالجَوُّ بِالنَقعِ مَلآنُ

أَسيراً لَها وَالجَوُّ بِالنَقعِ مَلآنُ

Their steeds brought Zayd al-Khayl by force,

His guests would have been seized by the vultures and sirahán,

Their captive, while the air was filled with dust.

And they cast aside the generosity of Aus and Hatim in Ma'in

فَلَولا جِوارٌ مِن يَزيدِ بنِ مُسهِرٍ

فَلَولا جِوارٌ مِن يَزيدِ بنِ مُسهِرٍ

لَراحَ وَضَيفاهُ عُقابٌ وَسِرحانُ

لَراحَ وَضَيفاهُ عُقابٌ وَسِرحانُ

But for protection granted by Yazid ibn Mus-hir,

And the vast sea is not equal to the shallow inlet,

He would have departed, his two guests an eagle and a wolf.

And the family of Munthir sought protection with them

وَبَذّوا بِمَعنٍ جُودَ أَوسٍ وَحاتمٍ

وَبَذّوا بِمَعنٍ جُودَ أَوسٍ وَحاتمٍ

وَلا يَستَوي بَحرٌ خِضَمٌّ وَخلجانُ

وَلا يَستَوي بَحرٌ خِضَمٌّ وَخلجانُ

Through Ma'n they surpassed the generosity of Aws and Hatim,

From their time, so the protector of truth protected them,

And a vast ocean and inlets are not equal.

And not even Kisra's realm was immune from their swords,

وَعاذَت بِهِم مِن دَهرِهِم آلُ مُنذِرٍ

وَعاذَت بِهِم مِن دَهرِهِم آلُ مُنذِرٍ

فَصانَهُمُ حامي الحَقيقَةِ صَوّانُ

فَصانَهُمُ حامي الحَقيقَةِ صَوّانُ

The house of Mundhir sought refuge with them from its ill fortune,

For them, lions in the air, snarling and howling,

And a staunch guardian, defender of honor, protected them.

And they ruled the regions of Najd, and 'Amr and Ghassan

وَلَم يَحمِ كِسرى مِن حُدودِ سُيُوفِهِم

وَلَم يَحمِ كِسرى مِن حُدودِ سُيُوفِهِم

لُيُوثٌ لَها بِالجَوِّ زَأرٌ وَزُورانُ

لُيُوثٌ لَها بِالجَوِّ زَأرٌ وَزُورانُ

Kisra was not shielded from their swords' edges

Bowed their heads to their glory in the Levant,

By lions whose roaring and growling resounded in the air.

And a group of them went out to raid Bahrain

وَهُم مَلَكُوا أَكنافَ نَجدٍ وَطَأطَأَت

وَهُم مَلَكُوا أَكنافَ نَجدٍ وَطَأطَأَت

لِعِزّتِهِم بِالشامِ عَمرٌو وَغَسّانُ

لِعِزّتِهِم بِالشامِ عَمرٌو وَغَسّانُ

They ruled the reaches of Najd, and heads were bowed

Seeking booty, plundering pirates, warring young men.

Before their might in Syria by 'Amr and Ghassan.

They held back the Qarmatians from Hajar by force

وَسارَت إِلى البَحرَينِ مِنهُم عِصابَةٌ

وَسارَت إِلى البَحرَينِ مِنهُم عِصابَةٌ

مَصاليتُ غاراتٍ مَغاويرُ غرّانُ

مَصاليتُ غاراتٍ مَغاويرُ غرّانُ

A band from among them marched to Bahrain,

With 'Atik and Hudan joining them.

Intrepid raiders, daring warriors, illustrious men.

And they marched to the land of Qatif, and its fortresses

فَعَن هَجَرٍ ذادُوا القَرامِطَ عَنوَةً

فَعَن هَجَرٍ ذادُوا القَرامِطَ عَنوَةً

وَقَد شَرِكَت فيها عَتيكٌ وَحُدّانُ

وَقَد شَرِكَت فيها عَتيكٌ وَحُدّانُ

From Hajar they drove the Qarmatians by force,

And walls could not stop them,

And 'Atik and Huddan shared in that campaign.

Nor did the first houses of the coast at Muzbad

وَسارُوا إِلى أَرضِ القَطيفِ فَلَم يَكُن

وَسارُوا إِلى أَرضِ القَطيفِ فَلَم يَكُن

لِيمنَعَها مِنهُم حُصُونٌ وَحِيطانُ

لِيمنَعَها مِنهُم حُصُونٌ وَحِيطانُ

They marched to the land of Qatif, where neither

Withstand them, though the north wind and Marrkhan batter it,

Fortresses nor walls could protect it from them.

Nights defending Jabrin from them

وَلَم تَمتَنِع مِنهُم أَوالُ بَمُزبِدٍ

وَلَم تَمتَنِع مِنهُم أَوالُ بَمُزبِدٍ

مِنَ اليَمِّ تُزجيهِ شَمالٌ وَمَرخانُ

مِنَ اليَمِّ تُزجيهِ شَمالٌ وَمَرخانُ

Nor did Awal hold out against them behind foaming water

With their evening provisions being only crumbs,

Of the sea, driven onward by a north wind and a gentle wind.

And if the life of Amir Muhammad was spared

لَياليَ يَحمي الجابِرِيَّة مِنهُمُ

لَياليَ يَحمي الجابِرِيَّة مِنهُمُ

إِلى الرَملِ مِطعامُ العَشِيّاتِ مِطعانَ

إِلى الرَملِ مِطعامُ العَشِيّاتِ مِطعانَ

In nights when one of them defended al-Jabiriyya

'Uman and 'Ammán complained of their raids,

As far as al-Raml—a lavish evening host, a tireless spearman.

And their armies marched to the Levant, with no resistance

وَإِن سَلِمَت نَفسُ الأَميرِ مُحَمَّدٍ

وَإِن سَلِمَت نَفسُ الأَميرِ مُحَمَّدٍ

شَكَت مِن سَراياهُ عُمانٌ وَعَمّانُ

شَكَت مِن سَراياهُ عُمانٌ وَعَمّانُ

If Emir Muhammad's life remains safe,

From Dhiba and Najran,

Oman and 'Amman will complain of his raiding bands.

A noble youth who always aspired to every goal

وَسارَت إِلى أَرضِ الشآمِ جُيُوشُهُ

وَسارَت إِلى أَرضِ الشآمِ جُيُوشُهُ

وَلَم يَمتَنِع مِنها زَبيدٌ وَنَجرانُ

وَلَم يَمتَنِع مِنها زَبيدٌ وَنَجرانُ

His armies will march to the land of Syria,

When the luck of the people went bad and declined.

And Zabid and Najran will not hold out against them.

Surely a group of 'Uqayl has strayed and not been guided -

فَتىً لَم يَزَل يَسمُو إِلى كُلِّ غايَةٍ

فَتىً لَم يَزَل يَسمُو إِلى كُلِّ غايَةٍ

إِذا راحَ حَظُّ القَومِ نَحسٌ وَنُقصانُ

إِذا راحَ حَظُّ القَومِ نَحسٌ وَنُقصانُ

A young man who ceaselessly rises toward every summit,

Indeed they are blind to what they desired.

When the people's lot turns to ill fortune and decline.

If the people of the kingdoms seek their due rights

لَقَد ضَلَّ قَومٌ مِن عُقَيلٍ وَما اِهتَدُوا

لَقَد ضَلَّ قَومٌ مِن عُقَيلٍ وَما اِهتَدُوا

بَلى إِنَّهُم فِيما تَمَنَّوهُ عُميانُ

بَلى إِنَّهُم فِيما تَمَنَّوهُ عُميانُ

Indeed, some of 'Uqayl have strayed and found no guidance;

And their hearts are stirred to glory,

Yes, they are blind in what they have wished for.

It is no surprise that the people should demand their rights -

لَئِن طَلَبَت أَهلُ المَمالِكِ حَقَّها

لَئِن طَلَبَت أَهلُ المَمالِكِ حَقَّها

وَسارَ بِهِم قَلبٌ إِلى المَجدِ حَرّانُ

وَسارَ بِهِم قَلبٌ إِلى المَجدِ حَرّانُ

If the masters of kingdoms demand their due,

For the sand-dune has branches that grow and limbs.

And a heart burning for glory leads them onward,

It is not for other people to expose themselves

فَلا عَجَبٌ أَن يَطلبَ الحَقَّ أَهلُهُ

فَلا عَجَبٌ أَن يَطلبَ الحَقَّ أَهلُهُ

فَلِلدَوحِ أَوراقٌ نَشَأنَ وَأَغصانُ

فَلِلدَوحِ أَوراقٌ نَشَأنَ وَأَغصانُ

It is no wonder that the rightful holders seek their right,

To the fury of a raging lion.

For great trees have leaves that have grown, and branches.

It will not be long before the billows of his sea swell,

فَلَيسَ لِقَومٍ غَيرِهِم أَن يُعَرِّضُوا

فَلَيسَ لِقَومٍ غَيرِهِم أَن يُعَرِّضُوا

نُفوسَهُمُ لِلّيثِ وَاللَّيثُ غَضبانُ

نُفوسَهُمُ لِلّيثِ وَاللَّيثُ غَضبانُ

No other people, then, should expose

To drown them in waves and floods.

Themselves to the lion while the lion is enraged.

O House of Ka'b, do not betray your covenants

فَيُوشِكُ إِن جاشَت غَوارِبُ بَحرِهِ

فَيُوشِكُ إِن جاشَت غَوارِبُ بَحرِهِ

يُغَرِّقُهُم مِنهُنَّ مَوجٌ وَطُوفانُ

يُغَرِّقُهُم مِنهُنَّ مَوجٌ وَطُوفانُ

For, should the crests of his sea surge, soon

For the summit of glory is no place for traitors.

A wave and a deluge from them will drown them.

Good favor upon good favor will come to you from Him,

فَيا آلَ كَعبٍ لا تَخُونُوا عُهُودَهُ

فَيا آلَ كَعبٍ لا تَخُونُوا عُهُودَهُ

فَلَيسَ بِراقٍ ذِروَةَ المَجدِ خَوّانُ

فَلَيسَ بِراقٍ ذِروَةَ المَجدِ خَوّانُ

So, house of Ka'b, do not betray his covenants,

Act of kindness following act of kindness,

For no habitual traitor climbs the summit of glory.

Acquitting the living lineages of Qays and Khundif,

فَكائِن لَهُ مِن نِعمَةٍ بَعدَ نِعمَةٍ

فَكائِن لَهُ مِن نِعمَةٍ بَعدَ نِعمَةٍ

عَلَيكُم وَإِحسانٍ يُوالِيهِ إِحسانُ

عَلَيكُم وَإِحسانٍ يُوالِيهِ إِحسانُ

How many a favor he has bestowed, favor after favor,

And evil is the recompense of a people for ingratitude and unbelief.

Upon you, and kindness followed by kindness,

It is enough that you have endured enemies, and now

تُقِرُّ بِهِ أَحياءُ قَيسٍ وَخِندِفٍ

تُقِرُّ بِهِ أَحياءُ قَيسٍ وَخِندِفٍ

وَبِئسَ جَزاءُ القَومِ غَدرٌ وَكُفرانُ

وَبِئسَ جَزاءُ القَومِ غَدرٌ وَكُفرانُ

Acknowledged by the clans of Qays and Khindif;

War chariots are paraded for you in the arena of honor.

And vile is a people's recompense of treachery and ingratitude.

He has led spirited steeds, grim-faced,

كَفاكُم مُقاساةَ الأَعادي فَأَصبَحَت

كَفاكُم مُقاساةَ الأَعادي فَأَصبَحَت

تُجَرُّ لَكُم في باحَةِ العِزِّ أَرسانُ

تُجَرُّ لَكُم في باحَةِ العِزِّ أَرسانُ

He spared you the ordeal of facing enemies, so now

On which ride intrepid young heroes.

Halters are dragged for you in the courtyard of might.

He returned happily from his desire, led

وَقادَ جِيادَ الخَيلِ قُبّاً عَوابِساً

وَقادَ جِيادَ الخَيلِ قُبّاً عَوابِساً

عَلَيهِنَّ فِتيانٌ مَصاليت شُجعانُ

عَلَيهِنَّ فِتيانٌ مَصاليت شُجعانُ

He led fine steeds, lean-bellied and grim-faced,

By horses around him, a mounted troop.

Bearing intrepid, courageous young men.

He swore there must be an inhabited land

فَرَدَّ سَعيداً عَن هَواهُ وَقادَهُ

فَرَدَّ سَعيداً عَن هَواهُ وَقادَهُ

تَحُفُّ بِهِ خَيلٌ عِرابٌ وَرُكبانُ

تَحُفُّ بِهِ خَيلٌ عِرابٌ وَرُكبانُ

He turned Sa'id from his desire and led him away,

Even if Thubayr and Thahlán stood in the way.

Surrounded by purebred horses and riders.

And he enriched the needy among you with his wealth,

وَأَقسَمَ أَن لا بُدَّ مِن دارِ عامِرٍ

وَأَقسَمَ أَن لا بُدَّ مِن دارِ عامِرٍ

وَلَو حالَ مِن دُوني ثَبيرٌ وَثَهلانُ

وَلَو حالَ مِن دُوني ثَبيرٌ وَثَهلانُ

He swore: I must reach the land of 'Amir,

So gifts from his hands have become common to all,

Even if Thabir and Thahlan bar my way.

And many a footman has become, thanks to his gifts, a horseman,

وَأَغنى ذَوي الحاجاتِ مِنكُم بِمالِهِ

وَأَغنى ذَوي الحاجاتِ مِنكُم بِمالِهِ

فَأَضحى لِكُلٍّ مِن عطاياهُ دِيوانُ

فَأَضحى لِكُلٍّ مِن عطاياهُ دِيوانُ

With his wealth he enriched the needy among you,

And the sheep and goats were the elite of his wealth,

So each now has a register of his gifts.

And many whose business was failing, his mount seized as plunder,

وَكَم راجِلٍ أَمسى بِنُعماهُ فارِساً

وَكَم راجِلٍ أَمسى بِنُعماهُ فارِساً

وَكانَت صَفايا مالِهِ المَعزُ وَالضانُ

وَكانَت صَفايا مالِهِ المَعزُ وَالضانُ

How many a man on foot became a horseman through his bounty,

So the brand of sorrow was placed on him,

Whose choicest possessions had been goats and sheep.

And whoever came to him complaining of his time

وَكَم مِن حَريبٍ راحَ نَهباً سَوامُهُ

وَكَم مِن حَريبٍ راحَ نَهباً سَوامُهُ

فَراحَ عَلَيهِ لِلكآبَةِ عُنوانُ

فَراحَ عَلَيهِ لِلكآبَةِ عُنوانُ

How many a plundered man had his grazing herds carried off as spoil,

Became, from the gifts of his palm, though in humiliation,

And so bore the visible mark of sorrow;

And many a sinner, fearing punishment from him,

فَأَما أَتاهُ شاكِياً مِن زَمانِهِ

فَأَما أَتاهُ شاكِياً مِن زَمانِهِ

غَدا مِن عطايا كَفِّهِ وَهوَ جَذلانُ

غَدا مِن عطايا كَفِّهِ وَهوَ جَذلانُ

Yet when he came to him, complaining of his times,

Met, instead of severity, kind forgiveness from him,

He went forth joyful through the gifts of his hand.

And many a tribe, some of whose branches attacked the others,

وَكَم مُذنِبٍ قَد خافَ مِنهُ عُقُوبَةً

وَكَم مُذنِبٍ قَد خافَ مِنهُ عُقُوبَةً

تَلَقّاهُ مِنهُ حُسنُ صَفحٍ وَغُفرانُ

تَلَقّاهُ مِنهُ حُسنُ صَفحٍ وَغُفرانُ

How many a wrongdoer feared punishment from him,

Their feuds dampened by his wisdom and power,

Only to be met by his gracious pardon and forgiveness.

So hatreds died and resentments passed away.

وَكَم مِن قَبيلٍ راحَ يَزحَفُ بَعضُهُ

وَكَم مِن قَبيلٍ راحَ يَزحَفُ بَعضُهُ

لِبَعضٍ وَقَد شُبَّت بِوَادِيهِ نِيرانُ

لِبَعضٍ وَقَد شُبَّت بِوَادِيهِ نِيرانُ

How many a tribe—some of it marching

And I swear that if he had been in Wā'il's time,

Against others, with fires kindled in its valley—

'Amr ibn Ghanam and Shaybān would not have fought each other.

تَلافاهُ مِنهُ حُسنُ رَأيٍ وَسَطوَةٍ

تَلافاهُ مِنهُ حُسنُ رَأيٍ وَسَطوَةٍ

فَراحَ وَقد ماتَت حُقُودٌ وَأَضغانُ

فَراحَ وَقد ماتَت حُقُودٌ وَأَضغانُ

Was saved by his sound judgment and might,

Live long and prosper, O Crown of Kings, supported!

And went away with rancors and resentments dead.

Victory is your army and destiny your aides.

وَأُقسِمُ أَن لَو كانَ في عَصرِ وائِلٍ

وَأُقسِمُ أَن لَو كانَ في عَصرِ وائِلٍ

لَما اِقتَتَلَت عَمرُو بنُ غَنمٍ وَشَيبانُ

لَما اِقتَتَلَت عَمرُو بنُ غَنمٍ وَشَيبانُ

I swear that, had he lived in the age of Wa'il,

Your enemies are the despoiled and your loyalists victorious

'Amr ibn Ghanm and Shayban would not have fought.

Your glory is protected and your encampment auspicious.

فَعِش وَاِبقَ يا تاجَ المُلوكِ مُؤَيَّداً

فَعِش وَاِبقَ يا تاجَ المُلوكِ مُؤَيَّداً

لَكَ النَصرُ جُندٌ وَالمقادِيرُ أَعوانُ

لَكَ النَصرُ جُندٌ وَالمقادِيرُ أَعوانُ

So live and endure, crown of kings, upheld:

Victory is your army, and the decrees of fate your helpers.

مُعاديكَ مَغنُومٌ وَراجيكَ غانِمٌ

مُعاديكَ مَغنُومٌ وَراجيكَ غانِمٌ

وَمَجدُكَ مَحرُوسٌ وَرَبعُكَ فَينانُ

وَمَجدُكَ مَحرُوسٌ وَرَبعُكَ فَينانُ

Your enemy is plundered, and whoever hopes in you gains;

Your glory is guarded, and your dwelling richly shaded.