بَقَيتَ لِذا العِزِّ الَّذي عَزَّ مَطلَبا

بَقَيتَ لِذا العِزِّ الَّذي عَزَّ مَطلَبا

وَلا زالَ ظَنُّ الحاسِدِيكَ مُخَيَّبا

وَلا زالَ ظَنُّ الحاسِدِيكَ مُخَيَّبا

May you endure for this glory, so hard to attain,

You have remained for that honor which has honored an aspiration

and may your enviers' expectations ever be disappointed.

And the envy of your enviers continues to be foiled

لَقَد جَلَّتِ البُشرى بِتَكذيبِ ما حَكَوا

لَقَد جَلَّتِ البُشرى بِتَكذيبِ ما حَكَوا

فَأَهلاً بِما قالَ البَشيرُ وَمَرحَبا

فَأَهلاً بِما قالَ البَشيرُ وَمَرحَبا

Great indeed was the glad news that disproved their tales;

Good tidings have certainly come with the falsification of what they narrated

so welcome, a warm welcome, to the herald's words!

So welcome to what the harbinger said and greetings

وَلِلَّهِ قَولٌ كانَ لِلشَملِ جامِعاً

وَلِلَّهِ قَولٌ كانَ لِلشَملِ جامِعاً

وَلِلبَغيِ مُجتاحاً وَلِلهَمِّ مُذهِبا

وَلِلبَغيِ مُجتاحاً وَلِلهَمِّ مُذهِبا

And, by God, what a word: it reunited the scattered,

And God has a saying that was inclusive for reconciliation

swept oppression away, and drove sorrow off.

And overwhelming for rebellion and eliminating worries

وَيا حَبَّذا القَولُ الَّذي بانَ مَينُهُ

وَيا حَبَّذا القَولُ الَّذي بانَ مَينُهُ

إِذا كانَ عَمّا في الضَمائِرِ مُعرِبا

إِذا كانَ عَمّا في الضَمائِرِ مُعرِبا

And how welcome the tale whose falsehood became clear,

How good is the saying that its bent became apparent

when it gave voice to what lay in the inmost hearts.

When it is expressive of what is in the consciences

عَرَفتَ بِهِ ما في القُلوبِ فَلَم تَجِد

عَرَفتَ بِهِ ما في القُلوبِ فَلَم تَجِد

بِها عَنكَ مُعتاضاً وَلا عَنكَ مَرغَبا

بِها عَنكَ مُعتاضاً وَلا عَنكَ مَرغَبا

Through it you learned what lay in hearts, and found

You have known through it what is in the hearts so you did not find

there no replacement for you, nor any wish to turn from you.

In them averse about you or desirous of you

جَنَيتَ مِنَ الإِحسانِ وَالعَدلِ وَالتُقى

جَنَيتَ مِنَ الإِحسانِ وَالعَدلِ وَالتُقى

هَوىً عَدِمَت فيهِ القُلوبُ التَقَلُّبا

هَوىً عَدِمَت فيهِ القُلوبُ التَقَلُّبا

You reaped from beneficence, justice, and piety

You have attained from benevolence, justice and piety

a love in which hearts knew no fickleness,

An inclination that the hearts have not wavered about

يَفوقُ هَوى مَن يَعشَقُ الطَرفَ أَحوَراً

يَفوقُ هَوى مَن يَعشَقُ الطَرفَ أَحوَراً

وَصَبوةَ مَن يَصبو إِلى الثَغرِ أَشنَبا

وَصَبوةَ مَن يَصبو إِلى الثَغرِ أَشنَبا

surpassing the love of one enamored of an eye of vivid black and white,

It transcends the inclination of one who admires the one-eyed

and the yearning of one who longs for a fresh, white-toothed mouth.

And the infatuation of one who aspires to the thick-lipped

فَلا طَوَتِ الأَقدارُ أَياّمَكَ الَّتي

فَلا طَوَتِ الأَقدارُ أَياّمَكَ الَّتي

تُذَكِّرُ أَيّامَ الصَبا كُلَّ أَشيبا

تُذَكِّرُ أَيّامَ الصَبا كُلَّ أَشيبا

May the fates never fold away your days, which

So time has not bent your days which

recall the days of youth to every gray-haired man.

Remind every white-haired one of the days of youth

وَلا أَقلَعَ النَوءُ الَّذي أَنتَ غَيثُهُ

وَلا أَقلَعَ النَوءُ الَّذي أَنتَ غَيثُهُ

فَلَسنا نَرى عاماً بِظِلِّكَ مُجدِبا

فَلَسنا نَرى عاماً بِظِلِّكَ مُجدِبا

And may the rainstorm whose downpour you are never cease;

Nor has the star of blessings, of which you are its rain, disappeared

for under your shade we see no drought-stricken year.

Thus we do not see a year dry in your shade

وَنَبتُ الوِهادِ كانَ قَبلَكَ ذاوِياً

وَنَبتُ الوِهادِ كانَ قَبلَكَ ذاوِياً

فَلَمّا أَتَيتَ اِخضَرَّ ما تُنبِتُ الرُبا

فَلَمّا أَتَيتَ اِخضَرَّ ما تُنبِتُ الرُبا

The lowlands' growth was withered before you;

And the growth of the valley was fading before you

then, when you came, what the hills bring forth grew green.

But when you came it turned green what the meadows grow

طَلَعتَ عَلى ذي الأَرضِ أَيمَنَ طالِعٍ

طَلَعتَ عَلى ذي الأَرضِ أَيمَنَ طالِعٍ

فَأَمَّنتَ مُرتاعاً وَرَهَّبتَ مُرهِبا

فَأَمَّنتَ مُرتاعاً وَرَهَّبتَ مُرهِبا

You rose over this land as the most auspicious rising star,

You rose over the fortunate one of earth as the most auspicious rising

making the frightened safe and terrifying the terrorizer.

So you have secured a pasture and intimidated an intimidator

فَإِن لَم تَكُن أَفعالُكَ المَجدَ نَفسَهُ

فَإِن لَم تَكُن أَفعالُكَ المَجدَ نَفسَهُ

فَلا شَكَّ أَنَّ المَجدَ مِنها تَرَكَّبا

فَلا شَكَّ أَنَّ المَجدَ مِنها تَرَكَّبا

If your deeds are not glory itself,

If your deeds are not glory itself

then surely glory was composed of them.

Then surely glory is composed of them

فَلا يَلتَمِس إِدراكَ رُتبَتِكَ الوَرى

فَلا يَلتَمِس إِدراكَ رُتبَتِكَ الوَرى

فَما عُرِضَت لِلخاطِبينَ فَتُخطَبا

فَما عُرِضَت لِلخاطِبينَ فَتُخطَبا

Let mankind not seek to attain your rank;

So the people do not seek to attain your rank

it was not offered to suitors to be wooed.

For it was not presented to suitors to be sought

لَقَيَّدتَها بِالمَأثُراتِ مُحوِّطاً

لَقَيَّدتَها بِالمَأثُراتِ مُحوِّطاً

عَلَيها فَلَم تَترُك لَها عَنكَ مَذهَبا

عَلَيها فَلَم تَترُك لَها عَنكَ مَذهَبا

You have indeed bound it with illustrious deeds, setting a fence

You have restricted it with glorious deeds surrounding

around it, and left it no way to depart from you.

Over it so you did not leave for it from you an escape

فَما هِيَ إِلّا حَوزُ مَن طابَ مَولِداً

فَما هِيَ إِلّا حَوزُ مَن طابَ مَولِداً

وَنَشراً وَأَخباراً وَعِرقاً وَمَنصِبا

وَنَشراً وَأَخباراً وَعِرقاً وَمَنصِبا

It belongs only to one noble in birth,

It is but the possession of one whose birth, ancestry and lineage are pure

in reputation, reports, lineage, and station,

And position and descent and appointment are righteous

وَذي شِيَمٍ سَيفِيَّةٍ ناصِرِيَّةٍ

وَذي شِيَمٍ سَيفِيَّةٍ ناصِرِيَّةٍ

قَضَينَ لَهُ أَن وُرِّثَ العَمَّ وَالأَبا

قَضَينَ لَهُ أَن وُرِّثَ العَمَّ وَالأَبا

and possessing Sayfi and Nasiri qualities,

And one whose nature is Saifian, Nasirite

which ordained that he be heir to his uncle and father.

Destiny has ordained for him to inherit the paternal uncle

فَأَصبَحَ مَدعُوّاً بِما دُعِيا بِهِ

فَأَصبَحَ مَدعُوّاً بِما دُعِيا بِهِ

فَلا فَرقَ فيها أَن يُسَمّى وَيُنسَبا

فَلا فَرقَ فيها أَن يُسَمّى وَيُنسَبا

Thus he came to be called by what both were called;

So he has become called with what he was called with

in these traits, naming him and tracing his descent are alike.

So there is no difference whether he is named or attributed

إِذا نَزَلَ العافونَ مَغناهُ جادَهُم

إِذا نَزَلَ العافونَ مَغناهُ جادَهُم

حَيا مُزنَةٍ عاداتُها أَن تَصَوَّبا

حَيا مُزنَةٍ عاداتُها أَن تَصَوَّبا

When seekers of bounty alight at his abode, they are showered

When bounty descends, its singing enriches them

with the rain of a cloud accustomed to pouring down.

The customs of which are to be accurate

وَلَم يَجِدوا غَيمَ المَواعيدِ زِبرِجاً

وَلَم يَجِدوا غَيمَ المَواعيدِ زِبرِجاً

لَدَيهِ وَلا بَرقَ الطَلاقَةِ خُلَّبا

لَدَيهِ وَلا بَرقَ الطَلاقَةِ خُلَّبا

They never found the cloud of promises mere glitter

And they did not find the cloud of promises downpouring

with him, nor the lightning of his cheerful welcome rainless.

Before it, nor the lightning of eloquence forked

فَوازِن بِهِ أَهمى الغُيوثِ إِذا حَبا

فَوازِن بِهِ أَهمى الغُيوثِ إِذا حَبا

وَوازِن بِهِ أَرسى الجِبالِ إِذا اِحتَبا

وَوازِن بِهِ أَرسى الجِبالِ إِذا اِحتَبا

So weigh him against the most copious rains when he gives,

So compare him to the greatest downpours when it poured

and against the firmest mountains when he sits with knees clasped.

And compare him to the firmest mountains when solid

وَلَو لَم يُصَدِّق ناصِرُ الدَولَةِ المُنى

وَلَو لَم يُصَدِّق ناصِرُ الدَولَةِ المُنى

بِأَنعُمِهِ لَم تَلقَ إِلا مُكَذِّبا

بِأَنعُمِهِ لَم تَلقَ إِلا مُكَذِّبا

Had Nasir al-Dawla not fulfilled wishes

And if the supporter of the state did not verify the wishes

through his favors, you would have found only those who belied them.

He would not have found other than accusation

مِنَ القَومِ لَم يُغضوا لِباغٍ عَلى قَذىً

مِنَ القَومِ لَم يُغضوا لِباغٍ عَلى قَذىً

فَواقاً وَلَم يَرضَوا سِوى الحَمدِ مَكسَبا

فَواقاً وَلَم يَرضَوا سِوى الحَمدِ مَكسَبا

Of a people who never bore an aggressor's grit in their eyes

A people who were quenched with the nectar of valor to be strengthened

even for a moment, nor accepted any gain but praise:

As iron was quenched with water to be hardened

أُناسٌ سُقوا دَرَّ الإِباءِ لِيَنتَخوا

أُناسٌ سُقوا دَرَّ الإِباءِ لِيَنتَخوا

كَما سُقِيَ الماءَ الحَديدُ لِيَصلُبا

كَما سُقِيَ الماءَ الحَديدُ لِيَصلُبا

people given the milk of proud defiance, so they might stand proud,

Time obeyed them in attaining what they sought

as iron is given water so that it may harden.

And if it overpowered them, they gained it by overpowering

أَطاعَتهُمُ الأَيّامُ في نَيلِ ما بَغوا

أَطاعَتهُمُ الأَيّامُ في نَيلِ ما بَغوا

وَلو غالَبَتهُم أَحرَزوهُ تَغَلُّبا

وَلو غالَبَتهُم أَحرَزوهُ تَغَلُّبا

The days obeyed them in gaining what they sought;

If this life owns its people

had the days resisted them, they would have seized it by force.

Then you are surely its owners, whether it wished or refused

لَئِن كانَ هَذا الدَهرُ مالِكَ أَهلِهِ

لَئِن كانَ هَذا الدَهرُ مالِكَ أَهلِهِ

فَإِنَّكُمُ مُلّاكُهُ شاءَ أَو أَبى

فَإِنَّكُمُ مُلّاكُهُ شاءَ أَو أَبى

If this age is master of its people,

And you are the abode of the kingdom eternally, and it is only

then you are its masters, whether it wills or refuses.

Seen descending upon other than you if it becomes estranged

وَأَنتُم مَقَرُّ المُلكِ قِدماً وَإِنَّما

وَأَنتُم مَقَرُّ المُلكِ قِدماً وَإِنَّما

يُرى نازِلاً في غَيرِكُم إِن تَغَرَّبا

يُرى نازِلاً في غَيرِكُم إِن تَغَرَّبا

You have long been sovereignty's home; it is only

Your kingdom came from the rising of the sun resembling

seen lodging with others when it wanders abroad.

Its radiance, so when it covered the earth it became estranged

أَتَى مُلكُكُم مِن مَطلِعِ الشَمسِ مُشبِهاً

أَتَى مُلكُكُم مِن مَطلِعِ الشَمسِ مُشبِهاً

سَناها فَلَمّا طَبَّقَ الأَرضَ غَرَّبا

سَناها فَلَمّا طَبَّقَ الأَرضَ غَرَّبا

Your dominion came from the sunrise, resembling

And the west used to want it to be the east

its radiance; once it covered the earth, it journeyed west.

So the east started wanting it to be the west

وَكانَ يَوَدُّ الغَربُ لَو كانَ مَشرِقاً

وَكانَ يَوَدُّ الغَربُ لَو كانَ مَشرِقاً

فَصارَ يَوَدُّ الشَرقُ لَو كانَ مَغرِبا

فَصارَ يَوَدُّ الشَرقُ لَو كانَ مَغرِبا

The West had wished that it were the East;

When you attend a predicament, the world witnesses

then the East came to wish that it were the West.

That you are more flowing and fulfilling than the torrents

إِذا ما شَهِدتُم مَأزِقاً شَهِدَ الورى

إِذا ما شَهِدتُم مَأزِقاً شَهِدَ الورى

بِأَنَّكُمُ أَجرى وَأَمضى مِنَ الظُبا

بِأَنَّكُمُ أَجرى وَأَمضى مِنَ الظُبا

Whenever you enter the thick of battle, mankind bears witness

You have filled the hearts of both worlds with awe

that you are bolder and keener than sword-edges.

And it is deserving for the lion of the forests to be wary

مَلَأتُم قُلوبَ العالَمينَ مَهابَةً

مَلَأتُم قُلوبَ العالَمينَ مَهابَةً

وَحُقَّ لِأُسدِ الغابِ أَن تُتَهَيَّبا

وَحُقَّ لِأُسدِ الغابِ أَن تُتَهَيَّبا

You filled the hearts of all people with awe,

So how many glances were cast down in your presence

and the lions of the thicket rightly deserve to be feared.

Humbly, and how many affections overflowed at the mention of you

فَكَم غُضَّتِ الأَبصارُ عِندَ لِقائِكُم

فَكَم غُضَّتِ الأَبصارُ عِندَ لِقائِكُم

خُضوعاً وَفُضَّت عِندَ ذِكرِكُمُ الحُبا

خُضوعاً وَفُضَّت عِندَ ذِكرِكُمُ الحُبا

How often eyes were lowered at meeting you

And how much did the beholder of your generosity and loyalty

in submission, and knee-wraps undone at your mention.

Say that pride is only for the victorious

وَكَم قالَ رائِي جودِكُم وَوَفائِكُم

وَكَم قالَ رائِي جودِكُم وَوَفائِكُم

وَبَأسِكُمُ ما الفَخرُ إِلّا لِتَغلِبا

وَبَأسِكُمُ ما الفَخرُ إِلّا لِتَغلِبا

How often one has said, beholding your generosity and loyalty

So O King who has remained pleasing to God

and your valor, 'Glory belongs to Taghlib alone!'

And provoking regarding the advice of the Caliphate

فَيا مَلِكاً مازالَ لِلَّهِ مُرضِياً

فَيا مَلِكاً مازالَ لِلَّهِ مُرضِياً

وَلِلإِفكِ في نُصحِ الخِلافَةِ مُغضِبا

وَلِلإِفكِ في نُصحِ الخِلافَةِ مُغضِبا

O king who has ever been pleasing to God,

And O you who folded the honor of enemies and did not unsheathe

and angering falsehood through loyal service to the caliphate,

A sword or set forth from galloping a steed

وَيا مَن طَوى عِزَّ الأَعادي وَما اِنتَضى

وَيا مَن طَوى عِزَّ الأَعادي وَما اِنتَضى

حُساماً وَلا أَنضى مِنَ الرَكضِ مُقرَبا

حُساماً وَلا أَنضى مِنَ الرَكضِ مُقرَبا

O you who folded away your enemies' might without drawing

Rather, inhabited the white of eyelids stripping

a keen sword or exhausting a prized steed with galloping:

Swords of resolve that do not weaken for them youth

بَلى أَسكَنَ البيضَ الجُفونَ مُجَرِّداً

بَلى أَسكَنَ البيضَ الجُفونَ مُجَرِّداً

صَوارِمَ عَزمٍ لا يُفَلُّ لَها شَبا

صَوارِمَ عَزمٍ لا يُفَلُّ لَها شَبا

indeed, he left the white blades in their sheaths, unsheathing

And insights that illuminate the darkness for them

blades of resolve whose edges cannot be dulled,

And sincere thoughts that show them the unseen

وَثاقِبَ آراءٍ يُضيءُ لَها الدُجى

وَثاقِبَ آراءٍ يُضيءُ لَها الدُجى

وَصادِقَ أَفكارٍ تُريهِ المُغَيَّبا

وَصادِقَ أَفكارٍ تُريهِ المُغَيَّبا

and piercing judgments before which darkness grows bright,

You have long rescued a fearful one from falling into harm with security

and true thoughts that show him the unseen.

And pardoned a sinner with forgiveness

لَقَد طالَ ما اِستَنقَذتَ بِالأَمنِ خائِفاً

لَقَد طالَ ما اِستَنقَذتَ بِالأَمنِ خائِفاً

وُقوعَ الرَدى وَاِنتَشتَ بِالعَفوِ مُذنِبا

وُقوعَ الرَدى وَاِنتَشتَ بِالعَفوِ مُذنِبا

Long have you rescued, granting safety, one fearing

If the glories of life are counted, you would be one

the onset of death, and saved an offender through pardon.

And if the fire of turmoil is kindled, you would be an extinguisher

إِذا عُدَّ أَمجادُ الدُنا كُنتَ واحِداً

إِذا عُدَّ أَمجادُ الدُنا كُنتَ واحِداً

وَإِن سُعِّرَت نارُ الوَغى كُنتَ مِقنَبا

وَإِن سُعِّرَت نارُ الوَغى كُنتَ مِقنَبا

When the world's noble men are counted, you stand alone;

You have gathered and so you possessed glory, a noble soul

when the fire of battle is kindled, you are a cavalry squadron.

And a heart that turns over the vicissitudes

جَمَعتَ فَحُزتَ الفَخرَ نَفساً نَفيسَةً

جَمَعتَ فَحُزتَ الفَخرَ نَفساً نَفيسَةً

وَقَلباً عَلى صَرفِ النَوائِبِ قُلَّبا

وَقَلباً عَلى صَرفِ النَوائِبِ قُلَّبا

You brought together—and so won glory—a precious soul,

And refinement that did not incline towards other than virtues

and a heart resourceful against calamity's changing turns,

And hearing that did not flow except to praises

وَتَرفاً إِلى غَيرِ الفَضائِلِ مارَنا

وَتَرفاً إِلى غَيرِ الفَضائِلِ مارَنا

وَسَمعاً إِلى غَيرِ المَحامِدِ ما صَبا

وَسَمعاً إِلى غَيرِ المَحامِدِ ما صَبا

and an eye that never gazed toward anything but virtues,

Merits that have singled out Nizar adorning him

and an ear that never inclined toward anything but praise.

And gifts that have covered Nizar and Arabized him

مَناقِبُ قَد خَصَّت نِزارَ يَزينُها

مَناقِبُ قَد خَصَّت نِزارَ يَزينُها

مَواهِبُ قَد عَمَّت نِزارَ وَيَعرُبا

مَواهِبُ قَد عَمَّت نِزارَ وَيَعرُبا

Virtues reserved for Nizar are adorned

So you have revived the celebrations of time reigning

by gifts that have embraced Nizar and Ya'rub.

As the progeny of a noble lineage which one who covets it stumbles or falls

فَهُنّيتَ أَعيادَ الزَمانِ مُمَلَّكاً

فَهُنّيتَ أَعيادَ الزَمانِ مُمَلَّكاً

ذُرى شَرَفٍ مَن رامَهُ زَلَّ أَو كَبا

ذُرى شَرَفٍ مَن رامَهُ زَلَّ أَو كَبا

May you enjoy the festivals of time, made sovereign over

And you have reached the farthest extent of aspiration in my father

heights of honor where whoever seeks them slips or stumbles.

Ali, so how generous, rescuing and fecund

وَبُلِّغتَ أَقصى غايَةِ السُؤلِ في أَبي

وَبُلِّغتَ أَقصى غايَةِ السُؤلِ في أَبي

عَلِيٍّ فَما أَسخى وَأَنجى وَأَنجَبا

عَلِيٍّ فَما أَسخى وَأَنجى وَأَنجَبا

May you attain the utmost reach of your wishes in Abu

It has flowed in an extent you have brightened in it praying

Ali—how generous, how swift, how nobly born!

And not every good branch is of good origin

جَرى في مَدىً جَلَّيتَ فيهِ مُصَلِّياً

جَرى في مَدىً جَلَّيتَ فيهِ مُصَلِّياً

وَما كُلُّ فَرعٍ طَيِّبِ الأَصلِ طَيِّبا

وَما كُلُّ فَرعٍ طَيِّبِ الأَصلِ طَيِّبا

He ran as runner-up on the course where you took first place;

Time which is its essence has shown

not every branch from a noble root is noble.

About it today admiration and from it astonishment

لَقَد أَظهَرَ الدَهرُ الَّذي هُوَ عَينُهُ

لَقَد أَظهَرَ الدَهرُ الَّذي هُوَ عَينُهُ

بِهِ اليَومَ إِعجاباً وَمِنهُ تَعَجُّبا

بِهِ اليَومَ إِعجاباً وَمِنهُ تَعَجُّبا

Time, whose very eye he is, has indeed shown

When I visit him I do not know whether I came to a sitting

admiration for him today, and wonder at him.

That contained the totality of the eminent or whether I came to an office

إِذا زُرتُهُ لَم أَدرِ هَل جِئتُ مَجلِساً

إِذا زُرتُهُ لَم أَدرِ هَل جِئتُ مَجلِساً

حَوى جُمَلَ العَلياءِ أَم جِئتُ مَكتَبا

حَوى جُمَلَ العَلياءِ أَم جِئتُ مَكتَبا

When I visit him, I do not know whether I have entered an assembly

Where I meet the garb of knowledge in wisdom

containing the sum of high honor, or a schoolroom,

Embroidered and forbearance overwhelming youth

بِحَيثُ أُلاقي حُلَّةَ الفَضلِ بِالحِجى

بِحَيثُ أُلاقي حُلَّةَ الفَضلِ بِالحِجى

مُطَرَّزَةً وَالحِلمَ يَستَغرِقُ الصِبا

مُطَرَّزَةً وَالحِلمَ يَستَغرِقُ الصِبا

where I find the robe of excellence, with wisdom

I saw his brother resembling him and I saw him

embroidered, and forbearance engulfing youth.

Accompany some of his charming sons in procession

رَأَيتُ أَخاهُ مِثلَهُ وَرَأَيتُهُ

رَأَيتُ أَخاهُ مِثلَهُ وَرَأَيتُهُ

يُسايِرُ مِن أَبنائِهِ الغُرِّ مَوكِبا

يُسايِرُ مِن أَبنائِهِ الغُرِّ مَوكِبا

I saw his brother his equal, and I saw him

They are two stars of good fortune gleaming and radiant

accompanying a procession of his illustrious sons.

So they do not set as long as the night shines a star

هُما كَوكَبا سَعدٍ أَنافا وَأَشرَقا

هُما كَوكَبا سَعدٍ أَنافا وَأَشرَقا

فَلا أَفَلا ما أَطلَعَ اللَيلُ كَوكَبا

فَلا أَفَلا ما أَطلَعَ اللَيلُ كَوكَبا

They are two stars of good fortune, risen high and shining;

Listening to my words is the most precious of my rewards

may neither set as long as night brings forth a star.

So say to distraction wait, for bargaining is not permitted

سَماعُكَ قَولي مِن أَجَلِّ جَوائِزي

سَماعُكَ قَولي مِن أَجَلِّ جَوائِزي

فَقُل لِلُّهى مَهلاً فَما حُلِّلَ الرِبا

فَقُل لِلُّهى مَهلاً فَما حُلِّلَ الرِبا

Your listening to my words is among my greatest rewards;

I will praise to the extent of my ability the victorious

so tell the gifts to pause: usury has not been permitted.

And I do not seek what your merit deserves and so I am overcome

سَأُثني بِقَدرِ الجَهدِ لِلعيِّ غالِباً

سَأُثني بِقَدرِ الجَهدِ لِلعيِّ غالِباً

وَلا أَبتَغي ما تَستَحِقُّ فَأُغلَبا

وَلا أَبتَغي ما تَستَحِقُّ فَأُغلَبا

I shall praise to the limit of my strength, overcoming inarticulacy,

And if I hoped that my praises would stand

nor aspire to what you deserve, lest I be defeated.

With the easiest of what comes I would have resembled branches

وَلَو كُنتُ أَرجو أَن تَقومَ مَدائِحي

وَلَو كُنتُ أَرجو أَن تَقومَ مَدائِحي

بِأَيسَرِ ما تَأتي لَأَشبَهتُ أَشعَبا

بِأَيسَرِ ما تَأتي لَأَشبَهتُ أَشعَبا

Had I hoped that my praises could do justice

Your generosity has made the water of praise gush

to the least of your deeds, I would have been like Ash'ab.

And you have purified it from your overwhelming generosity as a drink

أَصارَ لِماءِ المَدحِ جودُكَ مَسرَبا

أَصارَ لِماءِ المَدحِ جودُكَ مَسرَبا

وَأَصفَيتَهُ مِن جودِكَ الغَمرِ مَشرَبا

وَأَصفَيتَهُ مِن جودِكَ الغَمرِ مَشرَبا

Your generosity has made a channel for the water of praise,

So there is no excuse for poetry whose sea has overflowed

and you have reserved for it a source in your abundant generosity.

If it is not profuse in describing your merit

فَلا عُذرَ لِلشِعرِ الَّذي فاضَ بَحرُهُ

فَلا عُذرَ لِلشِعرِ الَّذي فاضَ بَحرُهُ

إِذا لَم يَكُن في وَصفِ فَضلِكَ مُطنِبا

إِذا لَم يَكُن في وَصفِ فَضلِكَ مُطنِبا

Poetry, whose sea has overflowed, thus has no excuse

And these efforts are needless of my qualities

if it does not dwell at length on your excellence.

But they have not become weary except to write

وَهَذي المَساعي عَن صِفاتي غَنِيَّةٌ

وَهَذي المَساعي عَن صِفاتي غَنِيَّةٌ

وَلَكِنَّها لَم تُملِ إِلّا لِأَكتُبا

وَلَكِنَّها لَم تُملِ إِلّا لِأَكتُبا

These achievements have no need of my descriptions,

And the Guardian has not ceased to prevent with you injustice

yet they dictated only so that I might write.

Your position from one higher than the people or who loved

وَلا بَرِحَ المولي بِكَ العَدلَ مانِعاً

وَلا بَرِحَ المولي بِكَ العَدلَ مانِعاً

مَكانَكَ مَن أَعلى مِنَ الناسِ أَو حَبا

مَكانَكَ مَن أَعلى مِنَ الناسِ أَو حَبا

May He who grants justice through you never cease withholding

And you continue to clarify events and make evident

your station from anyone He raises among men or favors.

The prime of rhythms what the dawn clarified of humps

وَلا زِلتَ تَجلو الحادِثاتِ وَتَجتَلي

وَلا زِلتَ تَجلو الحادِثاتِ وَتَجتَلي

عَذارى القَوافي ما جَلى الصُبحُ غَيهَبا

عَذارى القَوافي ما جَلى الصُبحُ غَيهَبا

May you ever dispel calamities and behold

the virgin rhymes, as long as dawn dispels darkness.