ضَلَّwent astray مَنwhoever يَستَزيرُinvites to visit طَيفَthe phantom of الخَيالِfancy
ضَلَّ مَن يَستَزيرُ طَيفَ الخَيالِ
هَلcan...? تُداوىbe cured حَقيقَةٌa reality بِالمُحالِby the impossible
هَل تُداوى حَقيقَةٌ بِالمُحالِ
Astray is he who summons the phantom of fancy to visit.
He who seeks solace in illusory dreams,
Can reality be cured by the impossible?
Can reality be cured with the impossible?
سُنَّةٌa custom سَنَّهاhe instituted it المُحِبّونَthe lovers جَهلاًin ignorance
سُنَّةٌ سَنَّها المُحِبّونَ جَهلاً
كَسُؤالِlike questioning الرُبوعِold dwellings وَالأَطلالِand ruins
كَسُؤالِ الرُبوعِ وَالأَطلالِ
A custom lovers instituted in ignorance,
A tradition the lovers ignorantly made,
like questioning old dwellings and ruins,
Like asking ruins and deserted abodes.
أَوor كَمُزجيlike one driving القِلاصِyoung she-camels فيtoward غَيرِno قَصدٍdestination
أَو كَمُزجي القِلاصِ في غَيرِ قَصدٍ
أَوor مُرَجّيone hoping for مَكارِمِgenerous deeds of البُخّالِmisers
أَو مُرَجّي مَكارِمِ البُخّالِ
or driving young she-camels without a destination,
Or like one who stirs trouble without intent,
or hoping for generosity from misers,
Or hopes for generosity from the miserly.
أَوor كَلاحٍlike a reproacher سَعىslandered بِمَنone whom لاnot أُسَمّيI name
أَو كَلاحٍ سَعى بِمَن لا أُسَمّي
موقِناًcertain أَنَّthat سَعيَهُhis effort فيis in ضَلالِerror
موقِناً أَنَّ سَعيَهُ في ضَلالِ
or like a reproacher who slandered one I will not name,
Or like one who strives with those I shall not name,
knowing his efforts were misguided.
Certain that his efforts are in vain.
بِأَبيmay my father ransom مَنone who عَداtransgressed فَجاوَزَand surpassed أَعداenemies (start)
بِأَبي مَن عَدا فَجاوَزَ أَعدا
ئيmy (word ending) وَلَوthough if كانَhe were مِنهُمُone of them لَرَثىhe would pity ليme
ئي وَلَو كانَ مِنهُمُ لَرَثى لي
May my father ransom one whose cruelty surpassed my enemies,
By the one other than my enemies, even if they eulogized me,
though, had he been one of them, he would have pitied me.
And trespass brings joy to the lover, so I do not care,
وَالتَعَدّيand ill-treatment يُسليconsoles المُحِبَّthe lover فَماso what باstate (start)
وَالتَعَدّي يُسلي المُحِبَّ فَما با
لِيَmy state (end) لاnot يَخطُرُcrosses السُلُوُّforgetting بِباليmy mind
لِيَ لا يَخطُرُ السُلُوُّ بِبالي
Ill-treatment helps a lover forget—so why
Distraction does not cross my mind.
does forgetting never cross my mind?
With blame, though not for a crime, and aloofness, not from boredom.
ذوone possessing عِتابٍreproach لِغَيرِwithout مَعنىًa reason وَسُخطٍand anger
ذو عِتابٍ لِغَيرِ مَعنىً وَسُخطٍ
لاnot لِجُرمٍfor an offense وَهِجرَةٍand abandonment عَنfrom مَلالِboredom
لا لِجُرمٍ وَهِجرَةٍ عَن مَلالِ
He reproaches without reason and feels anger
Savagery seized two companionships,
without an offense, and abandons me out of boredom.
Both led to the path of ruin.
سَلَبَstole from الوَحشَwild beasts خَلَّتَينِtwo traits تَصولاboth strike (start)
سَلَبَ الوَحشَ خَلَّتَينِ تَصولا
نِboth strike (end) وَكِلتاهُماand both of them طَريقُa path to وَبالِruin
نِ وَكِلتاهُما طَريقُ وَبالِ
He stole from wild beasts two traits that strike;
One moment it violently subdues with severity,
both are pathways to ruin.
Another it frolics with the eyes of a gazelle.
فَهوَso he طَوراًsometimes يُرديkills بِسَطوَةِwith the ferocity of ضِرغاa lion (start)
فَهوَ طَوراً يُردي بِسَطوَةِ ضِرغا
مٍa lion (end) وَطَوراًand sometimes يَعدوattacks بِعَينَيwith the two eyes of غَزالِa gazelle
مٍ وَطَوراً يَعدو بِعَينَي غَزالِ
Sometimes he kills with a lion's ferocity,
Its violence intensified and the cunning of battle gathered in it,
and sometimes attacks with a gazelle's eyes.
And the pounce of the ambusher.
زادَincreased فَتكاًin deadliness وَاِستَجمَعَتand came together خُدعَةُthe guile of المُحthe trickster (start)
زادَ فَتكاً وَاِستَجمَعَت خُدعَةُ المُح
تالِtrickster (end) فيهِin him وَوَثبَةُand the pounce of المُغتالِthe assassin
تالِ فيهِ وَوَثبَةُ المُغتالِ
His deadliness grew; the trickster's guile came together
Thus I still recite a heart,
in him with the assassin's pounce.
Lost between guidance and temptation.
فَلِذاtherefore ماnot أَزالُI cease أَنشُدُsearching for قَلباًa heart
فَلِذا ما أَزالُ أَنشُدُ قَلباً
ضَلَّwent astray بَينَbetween الدَلالِcoquetry وَالإِدلالِand proud familiarity
ضَلَّ بَينَ الدَلالِ وَالإِدلالِ
Thus I keep searching for a heart
I feared not its straying, nor did I fear
lost between coquetry and proud familiarity.
That the beloved would become one of my blamers.
لاhe blamed (start) مَنيme (word ending) ضِلَّةًin error وَماand not كُنتُI was أَخشىfearing
لا مَني ضِلَّةً وَما كُنتُ أَخشى
أَنthat يَصيرَbecome الحَبيبُthe beloved مِنone of عُذّاليmy reproachers
أَن يَصيرَ الحَبيبُ مِن عُذّالي
He blamed me in error; I had never feared
Indeed, the time has come for me to cure my youth,
that the beloved would become one of my reproachers.
With a cure for the incurable disease of old age.
وَلَقَدand indeed آنَit is time أَنthat أُداويI treat صَباباlongings (start)
وَلَقَد آنَ أَن أُداوي صَبابا
تيmy (word ending) بِداءٍwith a sickness مِنَof المَشيبِgray hair عُضالِincurable
تي بِداءٍ مِنَ المَشيبِ عُضالِ
The time has come to cure my ardent longings
Being just in poetry to the ways of passion,
with the incurable sickness of gray hair,
To a lover of the beauty of deeds.
عادِلاًturning بِالقَريضِmy poetry عَنaway from سُنَنِthe paths of العِشlove (start)
عادِلاً بِالقَريضِ عَن سُنَنِ العِش
قِlove (end) إِلىtoward عاشِقٍone enamored لِحُسنِof the beauty of الفِعالِdeeds
قِ إِلى عاشِقٍ لِحُسنِ الفِعالِ
turning my poetry away from the paths of love
One whom when perfection raised him above kings,
toward one enamored of noble deeds:
He increased beyond perfection.
مَنone who إِذاwhen ماever الكَمالُperfection أَعلىraises مُلوكاًkings
مَن إِذا ما الكَمالُ أَعلى مُلوكاً
طالَtowered بِالإِزدِيادِthrough further excellence فَوقَabove الكَمالِperfection
طالَ بِالإِزدِيادِ فَوقَ الكَمالِ
one who, when perfection raises kings,
His glory and the son of his crown, spreader of hopes,
rises through further excellence above perfection.
Generous and killer of burdens.
عِزُّهاtheir glory وَاِبنُand son of تاجِهاtheir crown مُنشِرُreviver of الآhopes (start)
عِزُّها وَاِبنُ تاجِها مُنشِرُ الآ
مالِhopes (end) جوداًthrough generosity وَقاتِلُand slayer of الأَقيالِprinces
مالِ جوداً وَقاتِلُ الأَقيالِ
Their glory and the son of their crown, reviving hopes
He raced with zeal, a stallion in spirit,
through generosity, and slaying princes.
So he disobeyed the blame, transcended the boredom.
هامَwas enamored بِالهِمَّةِof ambition الحَصانِunsullied فُؤاداًin heart
هامَ بِالهِمَّةِ الحَصانِ فُؤاداً
فَهوَso he عاصيdefies المَلامِreproach قاصيis far from المَلالِboredom
فَهوَ عاصي المَلامِ قاصي المَلالِ
His heart is enamored of unsullied ambition;
And towered high, thus surpassing the lofty,
he defies reproach and remains far from boredom.
After greying and exhaustion.
وَسَماand rose high شارِخاًin youth فَزادَand surpassed عَلىover الساthose rising (start)
وَسَما شارِخاً فَزادَ عَلى السا
مينَthose rising (end) بَعدَafter المَشيبِgray hair وَالإِكتِهالِand middle age
مينَ بَعدَ المَشيبِ وَالإِكتِهالِ
He rose high in youth, surpassing those who rise
And a boiling spirit that refuses, however numerous the solicitors,
after gray hair and middle age.
To let them obtain anything but honesty.
وَخِضَمٌّand an ocean يَأبىrefuses وَإِنeven if كَثُرَgrew numerous الوُرّاthose coming to drink (start)
وَخِضَمٌّ يَأبى وَإِن كَثُرَ الوُرّا
دُthose coming to drink (end) أَنthat يَظفَرواthey obtain بِغَيرِanything but زُلالِlimpid water
دُ أَن يَظفَروا بِغَيرِ زُلالِ
An ocean that, however many come to drink,
Thus you see the neighbour in his care well-off,
will grant them nothing but limpid water.
And hope is revived through him for the wretched.
فَتَرىso you see الجارَthe neighbor عِندَهُwith him ناعِمَat ease of الباmind (start)
فَتَرى الجارَ عِندَهُ ناعِمَ البا
لِmind (end) وَيَحيىand comes alive بِهِthrough him الرَجاءُhope الباليworn-out
لِ وَيَحيى بِهِ الرَجاءُ البالي
You find his neighbor at ease of mind,
He made glory clear to all creation and protected it,
and worn-out hope comes alive through him.
So he is manifest but difficult to attain.
أَوضَحَmade clear المَجدَglory لِلوَرىto mankind وَحَماهُand guarded it
أَوضَحَ المَجدَ لِلوَرى وَحَماهُ
فَهوَso it is باديvisible in المَنارِits beacon صَعبُdifficult in المَنالِattainment
فَهوَ بادي المَنارِ صَعبُ المَنالِ
He made glory clear to mankind and guarded it:
The attainment of wishes flowed, even if greed deluded
its beacon is visible, its attainment difficult.
A people whose greed deluded them with the impossible.
دَرَّflowed plentifully نَيلُthe attainment of المُنىwishes وَإِنeven though أَغرَتِenticed الأَطdesires (start)
دَرَّ نَيلُ المُنى وَإِن أَغرَتِ الأَط
ماعُdesires (end) قَوماًpeople غَرَّتهُمُthey deceived them بِالمُحالِwith the impossible
ماعُ قَوماً غَرَّتهُمُ بِالمُحالِ
The granting of wishes flowed freely, though desires enticed
Desolation is answered with generosity and welcome,
people whom they deceived with the impossible.
Not with leanness and limping.
فَلَواتٌwildernesses تُجابُare traversed بِالجودِthrough generosity وَالإِقand daring (start)
فَلَواتٌ تُجابُ بِالجودِ وَالإِق
دامِdaring (end) لاnot بِالذَميلِby ambling وَالإِرقالِand swift trotting
دامِ لا بِالذَميلِ وَالإِرقالِ
Wildernesses traversed by generosity and
Deserted places where one who walked in them
boldness, not ambling or swift trotting;
Would be exposed to perdition or straying.
مُقفِراتٌdesolate يَكونُbecomes مَنwhoever سارَtravels فيهاthrough them
مُقفِراتٌ يَكونُ مَن سارَ فيها
عَرَضاًa target لِلبَوارِfor destruction أَوor لِلضَلالِfor losing the way
عَرَضاً لِلبَوارِ أَو لِلضَلالِ
desolate wastes where anyone who travels
The preceding son of Mahmoud crossed them,
is exposed to destruction or losing his way.
The preceding on the day of dew and the day of contention.
جازَهاcrossed them سابِقُSabiq بنُson of مَحمودٍMahmud الساthe foremost (start)
جازَها سابِقُ بنُ مَحمودٍ السا
بِقُthe foremost (end) يَومَon the day of النَدىgenerosity وَيَومَand the day of النِزالِcombat
بِقُ يَومَ النَدى وَيَومَ النِزالِ
Sabiq ibn Mahmud crossed them—the foremost
And he strove with the endeavor of the foremost,
on the day of giving and the day of combat.
So he attained the peak of virtues and intellect.
وَسَعىand pursued سَعيَthe endeavors of أَوَّليهِhis two predecessors فَأَربىand surpassed them
وَسَعى سَعيَ أَوَّليهِ فَأَربى
بِاِختِيارِby choosing الفَضائِلِvirtues الأَعقالِthe choicest
بِاِختِيارِ الفَضائِلِ الأَعقالِ
He pursued his two predecessors' endeavors, then surpassed them
And he was true to his noble name and nickname,
by choosing the choicest virtues.
So both took the place of good omen.
وَوَفىand fulfilled لِاِسمِهِhis name وَكُنيَتِهِand his byname العَزresolve (start)
وَوَفى لِاِسمِهِ وَكُنيَتِهِ العَز
مُresolve (end) فَقاماso the two served مَعاًtogether مَقامَin the place of الفالِa good omen
مُ فَقاما مَعاً مَقامَ الفالِ
His resolve bore out his name and byname;
The efforts of his ancestors will not be far from him,
together the two served as a good omen.
For they are clear in the present.
مَلِكٌa king إِنif أَتىcome الوُفودُdelegations ذَراهُto his refuge
مَلِكٌ إِن أَتى الوُفودُ ذَراهُ
صَدَّهُمkept them عُرفُهُhis bounty عَنِfrom الإِرتِحالِdeparting
صَدَّهُم عُرفُهُ عَنِ الإِرتِحالِ
A king whose bounty, when delegations reach his refuge,
It sufficed them that the Father of Knights charged them,
keeps them from departing.
For the changes of time to flow through them.
حَيثُwhere لَمnot يَفصِمواthey sever عُزىthe bonds of الظَنِّexpectation بِاليَأwith despair (start)
حَيثُ لَم يَفصِموا عُزى الظَنِّ بِاليَأ
سِdespair (end) وَلَمand not يوصَمواthey are branded بِذُلِّwith the humiliation of السُؤالِbegging
سِ وَلَم يوصَموا بِذُلِّ السُؤالِ
There they never sever the bonds of expectation with despair,
O son of one who defended my hopes and praise
nor are they branded with the humiliation of begging.
Against all the riffraff and scum.
وَوَقورُand sober amid الأَطرابِdelights إِنif زُفَّتِis ushered in الصَهwine (start)
وَوَقورُ الأَطرابِ إِن زُفَّتِ الصَه
باءُwine (end) بَينَamong الأَهزاجِhazaj rhythms وَالأَرمالِand ramal rhythms
باءُ بَينَ الأَهزاجِ وَالأَرمالِ
He remains sober amid pleasures when wine is ushered in
They are a faction whose means are effective,
among hazaj and ramal rhythms,
Just as greying is effective for those with thick locks.
وَطَروبٌand exultant أَوانَat the time تَجتَمِعُcome together الأَطthrills (start)
وَطَروبٌ أَوانَ تَجتَمِعُ الأَط
رابُthrills (end) بَينَamid الصَليلِclashing blades وَالتَصهالِand neighing
رابُ بَينَ الصَليلِ وَالتَصهالِ
yet exults when thrills come together
And their help is needed by the destitute, so if they give it,
amid clashing blades and neighing horses.
It is charity for prolonged hopes.
وَلَهُand he has مِنamong بَنيthe sons of بُوَيهِBuwayh جُدودٌancestors
وَلَهُ مِن بَني بُوَيهِ جُدودٌ
ذَهَبواcarried off بِالإِعظامِreverence وَالإِجلالِand veneration
ذَهَبوا بِالإِعظامِ وَالإِجلالِ
He has ancestors among the sons of Buwayh
And when needs are presented to them,
who carried off reverence and veneration.
They are obedient to procrastination and disregard.
كُلُّeach مَلكٍking قَدindeed حازَacquired فَضلَthe excellence of أَبيهِhis father
كُلُّ مَلكٍ قَد حازَ فَضلَ أَبيهِ
مِثلَlike حَوزِthe acquisition by البَهاءِBaha فَضلَof the excellence of الجَلالِJalal
مِثلَ حَوزِ البَهاءِ فَضلَ الجَلالِ
Each king acquired his father's excellence,
I visited him to shade me, so his gifts
as Baha acquired Jalal's excellence.
Made me generosity's ample shade.
فَمَساعيso the endeavors of الأَجدادِancestors لَنnever يَبعُدَwill become distant العَهtheir time (start)
فَمَساعي الأَجدادِ لَن يَبعُدَ العَه
دُtheir time (end) بِهاwith them وَهيَwhile they are وُضَّحٌbrightly manifest فيin الحالِthe present
دُ بِها وَهيَ وُضَّحٌ في الحالِ
The ancestors' endeavors will never become distant memories,
He left no envious one to denounce me,
while they shine clearly in the present.
Though I came full of hopes.
قَدindeed كَفاهاspared them أَبوAbu (father of) الفَوارِسِal-Fawaris (horsemen) أَنfrom يَقbeing marred (start)
قَد كَفاها أَبو الفَوارِسِ أَن يَق
دَحَbeing marred (end) فيهاin them تَنَقُّلُthe changing of الأَحوالِcircumstances
دَحَ فيها تَنَقُّلُ الأَحوالِ
Abu al-Fawaris has shielded them
Since my hopes in him are dependent on success,
from the harm of changing circumstances.
And my fortune is proven since he was true to me.
ياO اِبنَson of مَنone who ذادَkept away عَنfrom رَجائيmy hopes وَمَدحيand my praise
يا اِبنَ مَن ذادَ عَن رَجائي وَمَدحي
كُلَّevery غَثِّmeager in الحِباءِgifts رَثِّfrayed in الحِبالِbonds
كُلَّ غَثِّ الحِباءِ رَثِّ الحِبالِ
O son of one who kept away from my hopes and praise
His traces scattered my guided arrows,
every giver of paltry gifts and frayed bonds:
And he honored me with expansiveness until
عُصَبٌbands مَوقِعُthe standing of الوَسائِلِappeals مِنهُمamong them
عُصَبٌ مَوقِعُ الوَسائِلِ مِنهُم
مَوقِعُthe standing of الشَيبِgray hair مِنamong ذَواتِwomen of الحِجالِcurtained chambers
مَوقِعُ الشَيبِ مِن ذَواتِ الحِجالِ
bands among whom appeals find the same welcome
I attained the deeds of servants with their masters,
as gray hair among women behind curtains.
And some of what I gained of his honor,
وَعدُهُمtheir promise مُعوِزٌscarce فَإِنand if بَذَلوهُthey offer it
وَعدُهُم مُعوِزٌ فَإِن بَذَلوهُ
فَهوَthen it is وَقفٌheld subject عَلىto المِطالِprocrastination المُطالِprolonged
فَهوَ وَقفٌ عَلى المِطالِ المُطالِ
Their promise is scarce; if they offer it,
Lord of bounty, Lord of bounty.
it is held subject to protracted procrastination.
Had I persisted improperly in other than its abundance,
وَإِذاand when ماever الحاجاتُneeds حَلَّتdescend لَدَيهِمupon them
وَإِذا ما الحاجاتُ حَلَّت لَدَيهِم
مُتنَthey die طَوعَsubmitting to الإِمهالِdelay وَالإِهمالِand neglect
مُتنَ طَوعَ الإِمهالِ وَالإِهمالِ
When needs descend upon them,
Such persistence would have sufficed through humiliation.
they die, submitting to delay and neglect.
So Allah watered a land in which settled
زُرتُهُI visited him كَيso that يُظِلَّنيhe shelters me فَأَصارَتthen made
زُرتُهُ كَي يُظِلَّني فَأَصارَت
نيme عَطِيّاتُهُhis gifts مَديدَlong of الظِلالِshadows
ني عَطِيّاتُهُ مَديدَ الظِلالِ
I visited him seeking his shelter; then
The abode of virtue, the source of favor.
his gifts made my shadow stretch far.
The firmest lion, whether docile
لَمnot يَدَعhe left حاسِداًan envier يَفوهُspeaking بِإِخفاof failure (start)
لَم يَدَع حاسِداً يَفوهُ بِإِخفا
قيmy (word ending) وَقَدwhen indeed جِئتُI came حاشِداًgathering آماليmy hopes
قي وَقَد جِئتُ حاشِداً آمالي
He left no envier able to speak of my failure,
Or ferocious, and the most resolute in contention.
when I came with my hopes gathered.
I have long said about those who asked of you,
إِذfor رَجائيmy hope لَدَيهِwith him وَقفٌis pledged عَلىto النُجsuccess (start)
إِذ رَجائي لَدَيهِ وَقفٌ عَلى النُج
حِsuccess (end) وَفَأليand my omen مُصَدَّقٌconfirmed مُذsince وَفىhe kept faith ليwith me
حِ وَفَألي مُصَدَّقٌ مُذ وَفى لي
For my hope with him is pledged to success,
While my confidence was the guide to the lost,
and my omen proved true when he kept faith with me.
If you want knowledge of their condition from certainty,
نَضَلَتoutshot مَأثُراتُهُhis noble deeds وَلُهاهُand his gifts
نَضَلَت مَأثُراتُهُ وَلُهاهُ
كُلَّevery سَهمٍarrow أَعدَدتُهُI prepared it لِلنِضالِfor the shooting contest
كُلَّ سَهمٍ أَعدَدتُهُ لِلنِضالِ
His noble deeds and gifts outshot
Meet them in generosity or war.
every arrow I had prepared for the contest.
You will meet the whites of honors with the blacks of accursed blood,
وَحَبانيand granted me بِالإِنبِساطِease of familiarity إِلىuntil أَنthat
وَحَباني بِالإِنبِساطِ إِلى أَن
حِزتُI gained فِعلَthe conduct of العَبيدِservants عِندَwith المَواليmasters
حِزتُ فِعلَ العَبيدِ عِندَ المَوالي
He granted me such ease of familiarity
The greens of meadows with the reds of sharp swords.
that I could act as servants do with their masters.
Nobles, if the nobles of glory wronged them,
وَبِبَعضِand with a portion of الَّذيwhat أَنالَhe bestowed مِنَof الإِكhonor (start)
وَبِبَعضِ الَّذي أَنالَ مِنَ الإِك
رامِhonor (end) رَبَّnurtured النَوالِbounty رَبُّthe lord of النَوالِbounty
رامِ رَبَّ النَوالِ رَبُّ النَوالِ
With just a portion of the honor he bestowed,
They would topple mountain foundations.
the lord of bounty nurtured a lord of bounty.
And if they fought, you would see the hearts of lions
وَلَوَand if اِنّيI أَدلَلتُacted familiarly فيin غَيرِother than مَغناdwelling (start)
وَلَوَ اِنّي أَدلَلتُ في غَيرِ مَغنا
هُhis (word ending) لَكَفَّwould have checked الإِدلالَfamiliarity بِالإِذلالِwith humiliation
هُ لَكَفَّ الإِدلالَ بِالإِذلالِ
Had I behaved familiarly in any dwelling but his,
Entrusted into the breasts of men.
my familiarity would have been checked by humiliation.
Through them the land where they battled was shaken,
فَسَقىso may He water اللَهُGod تُربَةًsoil حَلَّdwelt فيهاin it
فَسَقى اللَهُ تُربَةً حَلَّ فيها
مَوطِنُthe home of الفَضلِexcellence مَعدِنُthe source of الإِفضالِbounty
مَوطِنُ الفَضلِ مَعدِنُ الإِفضالِ
May God water the soil where dwells
And they are its safety from tremors.
the home of excellence, the source of bounty:
Yours are the glories of swords, and with them
الأَسَدُّthe soundest in judgment الأَشَدُّthe strongest إِنif كانَthere is سِلمٌpeace
الأَسَدُّ الأَشَدُّ إِن كانَ سِلمٌ
أَوor وَغىًwar وَالأَلَدُّand the fiercest disputant عِندَin الجِدالِdebate
أَو وَغىً وَالأَلَدُّ عِندَ الجِدالِ
the soundest in judgment, the strongest, whether in peace
Is the shaking of the buzzing spears.
or war, and the most formidable in debate.
And you have in praise the most enduring attributes,
طالَماoften قُلتُI said لِلمُسائِلِto the questioner عَنكُمabout you
طالَما قُلتُ لِلمُسائِلِ عَنكُم
وَاِعتِماديand my purpose هِدايَةُguiding الضَلّالِthe lost
وَاِعتِمادي هِدايَةُ الضَلّالِ
Often I have told those asking about you,
Left by words in epics.
my purpose being to guide the lost:
If the House of Darim ibn Tamim
إِنif تُرِدyou want عِلمَknowledge of حالِهِمtheir character عَنwith يَقينٍcertainty
إِن تُرِد عِلمَ حالِهِم عَن يَقينٍ
فَاِلقَهمُthen meet them فيin مَكارِمٍgenerous deeds أَوor قِتالِbattle
فَاِلقَهمُ في مَكارِمٍ أَو قِتالِ
If you want certain knowledge of their character,
Were given some of your continuous superiority,
meet them in generous deeds or battle.
They would veil a veiler if lineage were listed,
تَلقَyou will find بيضَwhite in الأَعراضِhonor سودَblack in مُثارِthe rising of الthe
تَلقَ بيضَ الأَعراضِ سودَ مُثارِ ال
نَقعِdust خُضرَgreen in الأَكنافِsurroundings حُمرَred in النِصالِblades
نَقعِ خُضرَ الأَكنافِ حُمرَ النِصالِ
You will find men white of honor, black in their rising
And not release a released one's reins.
dust, green of surroundings, red of blades.
The overflowing love of souls and wealth
أُشُرٌproud men إِنif طَغىoverwhelmed بِهِمthem أَشَرُthe exultation of العِزmight (start)
أُشُرٌ إِن طَغى بِهِم أَشَرُ العِز
زِmight (end) أَزالواthey uprooted رَواسِيَthe firm foundations of الأَجبالِmountains
زِ أَزالوا رَواسِيَ الأَجبالِ
Proud men: when the exultation of might carries them away,
Prevented people from aspiring for your likeness.
they uproot the mountains' firm foundations.
And the modern is content with mention of the ancient,
وَإِذاand when حارَبواthey wage war رَأَيتَyou see قُلوبَthe hearts of الthe
وَإِذا حارَبوا رَأَيتَ قُلوبَ ال
أُسدِlions قَدindeed أودِعَتwere lodged in صُدورَthe breasts of الرِجالِmen
أُسدِ قَد أودِعَت صُدورَ الرِجالِ
When they wage war, you see the hearts of
Satisfied with old garments.
lions lodged within the breasts of men.
So when summoned with what necessitates praise,
وَبِهِمand through them زُلزِلَتwas shaken بِمَنbeneath those whom قارَعواthey fought الأَرthe earth (start)
وَبِهِم زُلزِلَت بِمَن قارَعوا الأَر
ضُearth (end) وَهُمand they are أَمنُهاits safeguard مِنَagainst الزِلزالِshaking
ضُ وَهُم أَمنُها مِنَ الزِلزالِ
Through them the earth shook beneath those they fought,
They refer it to moldering bones.
yet they safeguard it against shaking.
And you refused to allow yourselves proximity
لَكُمُyours is عِزَّةُthe might of السُيوفِswords وَفيكُمand in you
لَكُمُ عِزَّةُ السُيوفِ وَفيكُم
مَعَهاalong with it هِزَّةُthe quiver of القَناspear shafts العَسّالِswaying
مَعَها هِزَّةُ القَنا العَسّالِ
Yours is the might of swords, and in you,
To the whites of oryxes and browns of gazelles.
beside it, the tremor of swaying spears.
Like the refusal of stars where they descended,
وَلَكُمand yours are فيin المَديحِpraise أَبقىthe most lasting سِماتٍmarks
وَلَكُم في المَديحِ أَبقى سِماتٍ
تَرَكَتهاleft them الأَقوالُwords فيupon الأَقيالِprinces
تَرَكَتها الأَقوالُ في الأَقيالِ
Yours are the most enduring marks of praise
Not the refusal of lions in thickets.
that words have left upon princes.
And your generosity raced impulsively until
لَوif أُتيحَتwere granted لِدارِمِto Darim بنِson of تَميمٍTamim
لَو أُتيحَت لِدارِمِ بنِ تَميمٍ
بِضعَةٌa portion مِنof فَخارِكَyour glory المُتَواليever-renewed
بِضعَةٌ مِن فَخارِكَ المُتَوالي
Had Darim ibn Tamim been granted
The judgment of scales and measurement ceased.
a portion of your ever-renewed glory,
And long ago you were known, since you ruled,
حَجَبواthey would hide حاجِباًHajib إِذاwhen عُدِّدَwas counted الفَخglory (start)
حَجَبوا حاجِباً إِذا عُدِّدَ الفَخ
رُglory (end) وَلَمand not يُطلِقواthey would loosen عِقالَthe tether of عِقالِIqal
رُ وَلَم يُطلِقوا عِقالَ عِقالِ
they would have hidden Hajib when glory was counted,
To surpass the successor; the predecessor's merit.
and would not have loosed Iqal's tether.
For this we forget with Mahmoud's deeds
مَنَعَprevented الناسَpeople أَنfrom يَرومواattempting مَداكُمyour reach
مَنَعَ الناسَ أَن يَروموا مَداكُم
فَرطُthe excess of حُبِّlove for النُفوسِlives وَالأَموالِand wealth
فَرطُ حُبِّ النُفوسِ وَالأَموالِ
People are kept from attempting your reach
The glories of victory and riches of spoils.
by excessive love of their lives and wealth.
You are their most helpful when the world is arid,
وَاِكتَفىand was content مُحدَثٌa latter-day man بِذِكرِwith mentioning قَديمٍa predecessor
وَاِكتَفى مُحدَثٌ بِذِكرِ قَديمٍ
راضِياًsatisfied بِالمَلابِسِwith clothes الأَسمالِthreadbare
راضِياً بِالمَلابِسِ الأَسمالِ
A latter-day man contented himself with naming a predecessor,
And their guide to the roads of glory.
satisfied with threadbare clothes.
The predecessors fell short of its extent,
فَإِذاand when طولِبواthey are asked بِماfor what يوجِبُearns الحَمpraise (start)
فَإِذا طولِبوا بِما يوجِبُ الحَم
دَpraise (end) أَحالواthey referred عَلىto العِظامِbones البَواليdecayed
دَ أَحالوا عَلى العِظامِ البَوالي
When asked for deeds that earn praise,
And you possessed it through six traits.
they refer the claim to crumbling bones.
Honors with apology, pardon with power,
وَاِمتَنَعتُمand you secured yourselves مِنagainst أَنthat يُباحَbe violated لَكُمof yours جاa neighbor (start)
وَاِمتَنَعتُم مِن أَن يُباحَ لَكُم جا
رٌa neighbor (end) بِبيضِwith bright الظُبىsword edges وَسُمرِand dusky العَواليspear shafts
رٌ بِبيضِ الظُبى وَسُمرِ العَوالي
You guarded against any violation of your neighbor
And chastity in beauty.
with bright sword edges and dusky spear shafts,
And truly you were peerless in them,
كَاِمتِناعِlike the unassailability of النُجومِstars فيin حَيثُwhere حَلَّتthey dwell
كَاِمتِناعِ النُجومِ في حَيثُ حَلَّت
لاnot اِمتِناعِthe unassailability of اللُيوثِlions فيin الأَغيالِthickets
لا اِمتِناعِ اللُيوثِ في الأَغيالِ
as stars are unassailable where they dwell,
Yet you reached them without an equal.
not as lions are in thickets.
A morsel you won without proof,
وَهَمىand poured forth جودُكُمyour generosity جُزافاًwithout reckoning إِلىuntil أَنthat
وَهَمى جودُكُم جُزافاً إِلى أَن
زالَceased حُكمُthe authority of الميزانِscales وَالمِكيالِand measures
زالَ حُكمُ الميزانِ وَالمِكيالِ
Your generosity poured forth without reckoning until
Obscure in meaning, narrow in scope.
the authority of scales and measures ceased.
Taking with your right what your right necessitated,
وَقَديماًand long ago عُرِفتُمُyou were known مُذsince مَلَكتُمyou ruled
وَقَديماً عُرِفتُمُ مُذ مَلَكتُم
أَنthat يَفوقَsurpasses المَتلُوَّthe predecessor فَضلُthe excellence of التاليthe successor
أَن يَفوقَ المَتلُوَّ فَضلُ التالي
From long ago, since first you ruled, you have been known
The right, sister of the left.
for each successor's merit surpassing his predecessor's.
I have not recalled homelands since my eyelid
وَلِهَذاand therefore نَنسىwe forget بِأَفعالِthrough the deeds of مَحموMahmud (start)
وَلِهَذا نَنسى بِأَفعالِ مَحمو
دٍMahmud (end) مَعاليthe lofty deeds of نَصرٍNasr وَمَجدَand the glory of ثِمالِThimal
دٍ مَعالي نَصرٍ وَمَجدَ ثِمالِ
Thus Mahmoud's deeds make us forget
Rested in the majesty of these realms.
Nasr's lofty deeds and Thimal's glory.
With a side whose humiliation of wealth
أَنتَyou أَنداهُمُtheir most generous إِذاwhen أَجدَبَbrings drought العاthe year (start)
أَنتَ أَنداهُمُ إِذا أَجدَبَ العا
مُyear (end) وَأَهداهُمُand their best guide لِطُرقِto the paths of المَعاليgreatness
مُ وَأَهداهُمُ لِطُرقِ المَعالي
You are their most generous when the year brings drought,
Expressed the attainment of hopes.
and their best guide to the paths of greatness.
And whenever I said you are some of the nobles of the time,
قَصَّرَfell short السابِقونَthe predecessors دونَbefore reaching مَداهاtheir full extent
قَصَّرَ السابِقونَ دونَ مَداها
وَتَمَلَّكتَهاand you mastered them بِسِتِّthrough six خِصالِqualities
وَتَمَلَّكتَها بِسِتِّ خِصالِ
Your predecessors fell short of their full extent,
I aimed with certainty at the impossibles.
but you mastered them through six qualities:
If the daughters of vigor galloped,
مَكرُماتٌgenerous deeds مَعَwith اِعتِذارٍapology وَعَفوٌand forgiveness
مَكرُماتٌ مَعَ اِعتِذارٍ وَعَفوٌ
بِاِقتِدارٍdespite power وَعِفَّةٌand chastity فيamid جَمالِbeauty
بِاِقتِدارٍ وَعِفَّةٌ في جَمالِ
generosity with apology, and forgiveness
They do not race with the daughters of the knight.
despite power, and chastity amid beauty.
How you outstripped wishes with a right inclination,
وَبِحَقٍّand rightly أَنthat ظَلتَyou remained فيهاin them بِلاwithout مِثan equal (start)
وَبِحَقٍّ أَن ظَلتَ فيها بِلا مِث
لٍan equal (end) وَقَدand indeed سُدتَهاyou excelled in them بِغَيرِwithout مِثالِa model
لٍ وَقَد سُدتَها بِغَيرِ مِثالِ
Rightly you have remained peerless in them,
With abundant spontaneity.
having excelled in them without a model.
They outweighed all cheapness with glory,
لَقَمٌa road جُبتَهُyou traversed it بِغَيرِwithout دَليلٍa guide
لَقَمٌ جُبتَهُ بِغَيرِ دَليلٍ
وَهوَwhile it is خافيhidden in المَجازِpassage ضَنكُnarrow in المَجالِroom to move
وَهوَ خافي المَجازِ ضَنكُ المَجالِ
A road you traversed without a guide,
And were exalted, so made all expensive cheap.
its passage hidden, its room for movement narrow.
Whenever the promises of lightning lagged,
آخِذٌtaking بِاليَمينِby oath ماwhat أَوجَبَتهُmade it due
آخِذٌ بِاليَمينِ ما أَوجَبَتهُ
لَكَto you قَبلُbefore اليَمينُthe right hand أُختُsister of الشِمالِthe left
لَكَ قَبلُ اليَمينُ أُختُ الشِمالِ
Taking by oath what had already been made due
It lagged behind every pouring cloud.
to you by the right hand, sister of the left.
Honors, when attributes sculpted them,
ماnot ذَكَرتُI recalled الأَوطانَhomelands مُذsince ظَلَّremained طَرفيmy gaze
ما ذَكَرتُ الأَوطانَ مُذ ظَلَّ طَرفي
راتِعاًgrazing فيupon جَلالِthe majesty of هَذيthese الخِلالِqualities
راتِعاً في جَلالِ هَذي الخِلالِ
I have not recalled my homelands since my gaze remained
The arrows of hyperbole fell short of them.
grazing upon the majesty of these qualities,
Had I exaggerated beyond them, I would be
بِجَنابٍat a court إِذالَةُthe lavishing of المالِwealth فيهِwithin it
بِجَنابٍ إِذالَةُ المالِ فيهِ
أَعرَبَتdeclared عَنthat إِنالَةِthe granting of الآمالِhopes
أَعرَبَت عَن إِنالَةِ الآمالِ
at a court where the lavishing of wealth
Considered to be upon impossible impossibles.
has declared that hopes will be fulfilled.
Who distinguished between encirclements and shackles
وَمَتىand whenever قُلتُI say أَنتَyou are بَعضُone of كِرامِthe noble men of الthe
وَمَتى قُلتُ أَنتَ بَعضُ كِرامِ ال
عَصرِage قِستُI compared الأَتِيَّa rushing torrent بِالأَوشالِto trickles
عَصرِ قِستُ الأَتِيَّ بِالأَوشالِ
Whenever I say you are one of the age's noble men,
Did not desire them from other than you.
I compare a rushing torrent to trickles.
You remain in what your hands encompassed and contain,
وَبَناتُand the daughters of الجَديلِal-Jadil إِنif عَنَّpresents itself رَكضٌa race
وَبَناتُ الجَديلِ إِن عَنَّ رَكضٌ
لاnot تُجاريcompete with بَناتِthe daughters of ذيDhu (possessor of) العُقّالِal-Uqqal
لا تُجاري بَناتِ ذي العُقّالِ
The daughters of al-Jadil, when a race presents itself,
Safe from change or decline.
cannot compete with the daughters of Dhu al-Uqqal.
Indeed, the month of fasting revealed something
كَمhow often سَبَقتَyou anticipated المُنىwishes بِصَوبِwith the shower of يَمينٍa right hand
كَم سَبَقتَ المُنى بِصَوبِ يَمينٍ
فيin العَطاياgifts كَثيرَةِabundant in الإِرتِجالِspontaneity
في العَطايا كَثيرَةِ الإِرتِجالِ
How often you anticipated wishes with a shower from a right hand
We never witnessed in past eras.
abundant in spontaneous gifts.
The Night of Power was especially in it
هِيَit أَغلَتmade precious بِالعِزِّthrough honor كُلَّevery رَخيصٍcheap thing
هِيَ أَغلَت بِالعِزِّ كُلَّ رَخيصٍ
وَاِستَهَلَّتand poured forth فَأَرخَصَتthen cheapened كُلَّevery غالِprecious thing
وَاِستَهَلَّت فَأَرخَصَت كُلَّ غالِ
It made every cheap thing precious through honor,
Created for worshipers and the righteous.
then poured forth and cheapened every precious thing.
And it came to us this season in general,
كُلَّماwhenever أَخلَفَتfailed مَواعيدُthe promises of بَرقٍlightning
كُلَّما أَخلَفَت مَواعيدُ بَرقٍ
خَلَفَتit replaced كُلَّevery وابِلٍdownpour هَطّالِpouring abundantly
خَلَفَت كُلَّ وابِلٍ هَطّالِ
Whenever lightning's promises failed,
Before its time by seven nights.
it took the place of every torrential downpour.
So we thanked Him, and gratitude was not lacking,
مَكرُماتٌgenerous deeds إِذاwhen الصِفاتُdescriptions نَحَتهاaimed at them
مَكرُماتٌ إِذا الصِفاتُ نَحَتها
وَقَعَتfell دونَهاshort of them سِهامُthe arrows of المُغاليthe exaggerator
وَقَعَت دونَها سِهامُ المُغالي
Generous deeds at which, when descriptions aim,
A crescent that gave way to Shawwal.
even the exaggerator's arrows fall short.
And a crescent indeed won praise,
لَوif تَعَدَّيتُهاI turned away from them فُواقاًfor a moment إِذاًthen عُدreturn (start)
لَو تَعَدَّيتُها فُواقاً إِذاً عُد
تُI (word ending) بِظَنٍّwith a hope عَلىto مُحالٍan impossibility مُحالِconsigned
تُ بِظَنٍّ عَلى مُحالٍ مُحالِ
Were I to turn away from them for a moment, I would return
It gave tidings to the full moon with a crescent.
with a hope consigned to the impossible.
News the ears of your enemies never comprehended,
ماnot بَغاهاsought them مِنfrom عِندِwith غَيرِكَanyone but you مَنone who يَفdistinguishes (start)
ما بَغاها مِن عِندِ غَيرِكَ مَن يَف
رُقُdistinguishes (end) بَينَbetween الأَطواقِnecklaces وَالأَغلالِand shackles
رُقُ بَينَ الأَطواقِ وَالأَغلالِ
None seeks them from anyone but you who can distinguish
Until it choked them with mortification,
between necklaces and shackles.
Fearing your struggle, and to the lions
دُمتَmay you endure فيماamid what حَوَتpossessed يَداكَyour two hands وَتَحويand will possess
دُمتَ فيما حَوَت يَداكَ وَتَحوي
آمِناًsafe مِنfrom تَغَيُّرٍchange أَوor زَوالِloss
آمِناً مِن تَغَيُّرٍ أَو زَوالِ
May you endure amid what your hands possess and will possess,
The cubs' feet stumble with terror.
safe from change or loss.
So it made both Eids auspicious with prosperity,
إِنَّindeed شَهرَthe month of الصِيامِfasting أَظهَرَrevealed أَمراًsomething
إِنَّ شَهرَ الصِيامِ أَظهَرَ أَمراً
ماnot عَهِدناهُwe had known it فيin العُصورِages الخَواليpast
ما عَهِدناهُ في العُصورِ الخَوالي
The month of fasting revealed something
An inhabitant and assailant alike.
we had never known in ages past.
Your good deeds outdid my words, so they came after them,
لَيلَةُthe Night of القَدرِDecree فيهِwithin it كانَتwas خُصوصاًreserved for a few
لَيلَةُ القَدرِ فيهِ كانَت خُصوصاً
خُلِقَتwas created لِلعُبّادِfor worshipers وَالأَبدالِand the Abdal saints
خُلِقَت لِلعُبّادِ وَالأَبدالِ
The Night of Decree within it was once reserved,
Overburdened by your favors, so forgive their slackness.
created for worshipers and the saintly elect.
Then do not blame them if they are lost
وَأَتَتناand came to us فيin ذاthis الأَوانِseason عُموماًfor everyone
وَأَتَتنا في ذا الأَوانِ عُموماً
قَبلَbefore ميقاتِهاits appointed time بِسَبعِby seven لَياليnights
قَبلَ ميقاتِها بِسَبعِ لَيالي
But in this season it came to us all,
Among your lofty, copious favors.
seven nights before its appointed time.
My gratitude is continuous and my loyalty proven,
فَشَكَرناso we gave thanks لَهُto it وَلَمand not يَعدَمِlacked الشُكthanks (start)
فَشَكَرنا لَهُ وَلَم يَعدَمِ الشُك
رَthanks (end) هِلالٌa crescent أَفضىled إِلىinto شَوّالِShawwal
رَ هِلالٌ أَفضى إِلى شَوّالِ
So we gave it thanks; nor was thanks denied
So accept the excuse of the loyal loyal one.
the crescent that led into Shawwal.
And lighten me if I fall short, though
وَلَقَدand indeed فازَwon بِالثَناءِpraise هِلالٌHilal (crescent)
وَلَقَد فازَ بِالثَناءِ هِلالٌ
بَشَّرَgave glad tidings to البِدرَthe full moon قَبلَهُbefore it بِهِلالِof a crescent
بَشَّرَ البِدرَ قَبلَهُ بِهِلالِ
And Hilal indeed won praise,
The stumbling of speech is no stumbling.
having earlier brought the full moon news of a crescent.
Although I have not slighted your kingdom with
خَبَرٌnews ماnot وَعَتهُheard it أَسماعُthe ears of أَعداenemies (start)
خَبَرٌ ما وَعَتهُ أَسماعُ أَعدا
ئِكَyour (word ending) حَتّىbefore أَغَصَّهُمit choked them بِالزُلالِon limpid water
ئِكَ حَتّى أَغَصَّهُم بِالزُلالِ
News your enemies' ears had scarcely heard
Verses that remain like the nights.
before it choked them even on limpid water,
Wild cattle went astray when they sought them,
رَهبَةًin dread مِنof نِضالِهِhis combat وَإِلىand to الآlions (start)
رَهبَةً مِن نِضالِهِ وَإِلى الآ
سادِlions (end) قِدماًfrom of old تَنَجُّلُtrace their birth الأَشبالِthe cubs
سادِ قِدماً تَنَجُّلُ الأَشبالِ
in dread of his combat; and to lions
And the crescent gleaned not a crescent from their sea.
the cubs have always traced their birth.
فَتَهَنَّso enjoy العيدَينِthe two festivals بِاليُمنِwith good fortune زاراthe two arrived
فَتَهَنَّ العيدَينِ بِاليُمنِ زارا
مِنnamely مُقيمٍone staying وَظاعِنٍand one departing فيat الحالِthe present moment
مِن مُقيمٍ وَظاعِنٍ في الحالِ
Enjoy the two festivals that arrived with good fortune,
one staying, one departing even now.
سَبَقَتcame first بِالجَميلِin doing good أَفعالُكَyour deeds الغُرradiant (start)
سَبَقَت بِالجَميلِ أَفعالُكَ الغُر
رُradiant (end) فَجاءَتthen came وَراءَهاbehind them أَقواليmy words
رُ فَجاءَت وَراءَها أَقوالي
Your radiant deeds came first in doing good,
and my words followed behind them.
أَثقَلَتهاweighed them down أَعباءُthe burdens of نُعماكَyour favors فَاِبسُطso grant
أَثقَلَتها أَعباءُ نُعماكَ فَاِبسُط
عُذرَهاtheir excuse إِنif أَتَتكَthey reach you غَيرَnot عِجالِhastily
عُذرَها إِن أَتَتكَ غَيرَ عِجالِ
The burdens of your favors weighed them down; grant
them an excuse if they reach you without haste.
ثُمَّthen لاnot تَلحَهاblame them إِذاif هِيَthey ضَلَّتlost their way
ثُمَّ لا تَلحَها إِذا هِيَ ضَلَّت
بَينَamong آلائِكَyour blessings العِراضِbroad الطِوالِfar-reaching
بَينَ آلائِكَ العِراضِ الطِوالِ
Then do not blame them if they lose their way
among your broad and far-reaching blessings.
قَدindeed تَوالىcontinued شُكريmy gratitude وَصَحَّand proved true وَلائيmy loyalty
قَد تَوالى شُكري وَصَحَّ وَلائي
فَتَقَبَّلso accept عُذرَthe excuse of المُواليthe persevering one المُواليthe loyal one
فَتَقَبَّل عُذرَ المُوالي المُوالي
My gratitude has continued, and my loyalty is true:
accept the excuse of your steadfast, loyal follower.
وَأَقِلنيand pardon me إِذاif عَجَزتُI fall short وَإِنalthough كاwas (start)
وَأَقِلني إِذا عَجَزتُ وَإِن كا
نَwas (end) عِثارُthe stumble of المَقالِspeech غَيرَnot مُقالِpardoned
نَ عِثارُ المَقالِ غَيرَ مُقالِ
Pardon me if I fall short, although
a stumble in speech is unpardoned.
مَعَalthough أَنّيI لَمnot أُخلِleft bare مُلكَكَyour kingdom مِنof نَظstringing (start)
مَعَ أَنّي لَم أُخلِ مُلكَكَ مِن نَظ
مِstringing (end) لَآلٍpearls تَبقىthat endure بَقاءَas long as اللَياليthe nights
مِ لَآلٍ تَبقى بَقاءَ اللَيالي
Though I have not left your kingdom without a string
of pearls that endure as long as nights endure.
ضَلَّwent astray غَيلانُGhaylan إِذwhen بَغاهاhe sought them فَلَمand not يَحgain (start)
ضَلَّ غَيلانُ إِذ بَغاها فَلَم يَح
ظَgain (end) بِلالٌBilal مِنfrom بَحرِهاtheir sea بِبِلالِany moisture
ظَ بِلالٌ مِن بَحرِها بِبِلالِ
Ghaylan went astray when he sought them; Bilal did not gain
even moisture from their sea.
Partial English translation: 179 of 196 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1