َمّاas for الحِسانُfair women فَماthen not لَهُنَّthey have عُهودُpledges
َمّا الحِسانُ فَما لَهُنَّ عُهودُ
وَلَهُنَّand they have عَنكَaway from you وَماand not ظَلَمنَthey did wrong مَحيدُa way to turn
وَلَهُنَّ عَنكَ وَما ظَلَمنَ مَحيدُ
As for fair women, they keep no pledges.
O possessor of timeless glory, nations have no covenants with you,
They may turn away from you, and do you no wrong.
Yet you have none but good from them; your justice was never harsh.
فَاِربَعso desist فَماfor not لِلبيضِfor fair women فيكَin you لُبانَةٌa desire
فَاِربَع فَما لِلبيضِ فيكَ لُبانَةٌ
لِسِواكَfor someone other than you خوطُa slender shoot البانَةِof the ban-tree الأُملودُsupple
لِسِواكَ خوطُ البانَةِ الأُملودُ
So desist: fair women have no desire for you.
Leave the envious be- their slander cannot stain your white attire;
The supple shoot of the ban-tree belongs to another.
The guiding string of piety adorns your miswak stick alone.
وَاِبغِand seek النَباهَةَdistinction وَالثَراءَand wealth بِعَزمَةٍwith a resolve
وَاِبغِ النَباهَةَ وَالثَراءَ بِعَزمَةٍ
لَمdid not يَثنِهاdeter it لَومٌblame وَلاnor تَفنيدُreproach
لَم يَثنِها لَومٌ وَلا تَفنيدُ
Seek distinction and wealth with a resolve
Seek wisdom and live nobly with resolved intent;
that neither blame nor reproach has turned aside.
Let no blame or dispraise deter your quest.
قَدalready أَعوَزَhas become scarce الماءُwater الطَهورُpurifying وَماand not بَقيremains
قَد أَعوَزَ الماءُ الطَهورُ وَما بَقي
غَيرُexcept التَيَمُّمِdry ablution لَوif only يَطيبُwere pure صَعيدُsoil
غَيرُ التَيَمُّمِ لَو يَطيبُ صَعيدُ
Purifying water has run short, and nothing remains
Ablution water ran scarce, and there was nothing left
but dry ablution—if only the earth were pure.
Except dry ablution, if only its earth would avail.
وَنَباand rejected بِيَme الوَطَنُthe homeland القَديمُold وَإِنَّنيand indeed I
وَنَبا بِيَ الوَطَنُ القَديمُ وَإِنَّني
فيin البُعدِremoteness عَمَّنfrom those who حَلَّهُinhabited it لَسَعيدُindeed happy
في البُعدِ عَمَّن حَلَّهُ لَسَعيدُ
My old homeland rejected me, and indeed I
My ancient homeland called me, though in my distant exile,
am happy far from those who inhabited it.
I was blessed wherever you dwelled, O guide.
وَتَنوفَةٍand a wilderness عَقِمَتwas barren فَماso not تَلِدُgives birth to الكَرىsleep
وَتَنوفَةٍ عَقِمَت فَما تَلِدُ الكَرى
لَكِنَّهاyet it لِلنائِباتِin calamities وَلودُis prolific
لَكِنَّها لِلنائِباتِ وَلودُ
And a barren wilderness that gives birth to no sleep,
Tanuwf has grown barren - it births no memories.
yet is prolific in calamities:
Rather, it births misfortunes, though constantly pregnant.
فيهاin it يَطيشُgoes astray السَهمُthe arrow وَهوَthough it is مُسَدَّدٌwell aimed
فيها يَطيشُ السَهمُ وَهوَ مُسَدَّدٌ
وَيَضِلُّand goes astray رَأيُjudgment المَرءِof a man وَهوthough it is سَديدُsound
وَيَضِلُّ رَأيُ المَرءِ وَهو سَديدُ
there the arrow strays though well aimed,
Therein the arrow goes astray despite straight shooting,
and a man's judgment wanders though sound.
And man’s sure judgment strays though his view is clear.
أَفنَيتُهاI exhausted it بِقَلائِصٍwith young she-camels عاداتُهاtheir habits
أَفنَيتُها بِقَلائِصٍ عاداتُها
أَنto تَنقُصَdiminish الفَلواتِthe wastes وَهيَwhile they تَزيدُincrease
أَن تَنقُصَ الفَلواتِ وَهيَ تَزيدُ
I wore it away with young she-camels accustomed
I exhausted it with virtues contrary to its customs-
to shorten the wastes while themselves growing stronger.
Its wastelands diminish as it grows on praise.
وَصّىbequeathed بِهاthem حَيدانُHaydan مَهرَةَMahra سالِفاًlong ago
وَصّى بِها حَيدانُ مَهرَةَ سالِفاً
وَنَمىand nurtured الجَديلُal-Jadil أُصولَهاtheir lineage وَالعيدُand al-Id
وَنَمى الجَديلُ أُصولَها وَالعيدُ
Haydan of Mahra bequeathed them long ago,
The courtyards of Mahra's abodes exhorted it long ago.
and al-Jadil and al-Id nurtured their lineage.
Its roots grew as the thickets flourished.
فَمَرَرنَso they passed يَخبِطنَbeating their way through الدَياجِيَthe darknesses وَالفَلاand the wastes
فَمَرَرنَ يَخبِطنَ الدَياجِيَ وَالفَلا
وَأَظُنُّهُنَّand I think they عَلِمنَknew أَينَwhere أُريدُI intend to go
وَأَظُنُّهُنَّ عَلِمنَ أَينَ أُريدُ
They passed, beating their way through darkness and wastes,
They passed by, bumping camels and fillies,
and I think they knew where I intended to go.
And I believe they knew where I intended to go.
تَأتَمُّtake as leader مَلكاًa king بِالعَواصِمِin al-Awasim بَحرُهُhis sea
تَأتَمُّ مَلكاً بِالعَواصِمِ بَحرُهُ
عَذبُsweet المِياهِin waters وَظِلُّهُand his shade مَمدودُspread wide
عَذبُ المِياهِ وَظِلُّهُ مَمدودُ
They seek as their leader a king in al-Awasim, whose sea
I covet a kingdom whose sea has fresh water
has sweet waters, and whose shade is spread wide.
And whose shade is outstretched.
أَنِفَتthey scorned مِنَfrom المُتَكَلِّفيthose forcing themselves to بَذلِbestowal اللُهىgifts
أَنِفَت مِنَ المُتَكَلِّفي بَذلِ اللُهى
فَلَهاso they have صُدوفٌturning aside عَنهُمُaway from them وَصُدودُand aversion
فَلَها صُدوفٌ عَنهُمُ وَصُدودُ
They scorned those who force themselves to bestow gifts,
It disdains ostentatious gift-givers,
so they turn aside from them and shun them.
So they are barred from it and driven away.
وَوَراءَهاand behind them مَنone whom لاnot أَذُمُّI reproach مَهانَةًfor his baseness
وَوَراءَها مَن لا أَذُمُّ مَهانَةً
وَأَمامَهاand before them مَحمودٌMahmoud المَحمودُthe praised
وَأَمامَها مَحمودٌ المَحمودُ
Behind them is one beneath my reproach,
Behind it are those I do not disdain,
and before them stands Mahmoud, the praised.
While ahead a praiseworthy king praised indeed.
مَلِكٌa king لِماfor what تَبنيbuild يَداهُhis two hands شائِدٌa builder
مَلِكٌ لِما تَبني يَداهُ شائِدٌ
وَلِماand for what بَناهُbuilt it أَوَّلوهُhis forebears مُشيدُan exalter
وَلِما بَناهُ أَوَّلوهُ مُشيدُ
A king who builds high what his own hands construct,
A king whom all people of the age serve,
and raises high what his forefathers built.
For what his hands built he originates and repeats.
مازالَhe has always يَبتَدِعُinnovates العَلاءَeminence مُناقِضاًopposing
مازالَ يَبتَدِعُ العَلاءَ مُناقِضاً
مَنone whose رَأيُهُhis opinion فيin حَورِهِhis retreat التَقليدُimitation
مَن رَأيُهُ في حَورِهِ التَقليدُ
He has always devised new eminence, opposing
He continues to innovate lofty deeds, contradicting
those whose backward-looking counsel is imitation.
Those whose way is but to follow tradition.
وَيَفوتُand surpasses أَهلَthe people الأَرضِof the earth بِالشِيَمِthrough the traits الَّتيthat
وَيَفوتُ أَهلَ الأَرضِ بِالشِيَمِ الَّتي
يَمتارُgathers provisions مِنهاfrom them سَيِّدٌa master وَمَسودُand a subject
يَمتارُ مِنها سَيِّدٌ وَمَسودُ
He surpasses the people of the earth through traits
He surpasses people in qualities
from which master and subject alike gather provisions,
Whereby the best and most vile are distinguished.
وَغَرائِبٍand marvels مِنfrom نُطقِهِhis speech ماnot مِثلُهاtheir like
وَغَرائِبٍ مِن نُطقِهِ ما مِثلُها
فيin الفَضلِexcellence مُكتَسَبٌacquired وَلاnor مَولودُinborn
في الفَضلِ مُكتَسَبٌ وَلا مَولودُ
and through marvels of his speech, whose equal
Wondrous is his speech, the like of which
in excellence is neither acquired nor inborn.
Is not acquired through merit or inborn among the noble.
يُعطيhe gives وَلَوand even if سيمَhe were asked for الحَياةَlife أَوor الصِبىyouth
يُعطي وَلَو سيمَ الحَياةَ أَو الصِبى
وَيَفيand keeps faith وَلَوand even if بِالغَدرِthrough betrayal نيلَwere obtained خُلودُimmortality
وَيَفي وَلَو بِالغَدرِ نيلَ خُلودُ
He gives, even if asked for his life or youth,
He gives even if it costs his lifeblood and pardons
and keeps faith, even if betrayal could win immortality.
Even vile betrayal if eternal rule could be attained.
وَإِذاand when اِنتَمىdeclares his lineage يَومَon the day الوَغىof battle ثُمَّthen اِكتَنىstates his byname
وَإِذا اِنتَمى يَومَ الوَغى ثُمَّ اِكتَنى
فَالنَصرُthen victory فيهِin him مُبدِئٌbegins وَمُعيدُand begins again
فَالنَصرُ فيهِ مُبدِئٌ وَمُعيدُ
When he proclaims his lineage on battle-day, then his byname,
When war looms, he defends his line, then retreats,
victory begins through him and comes again.
So victory begins and ends with him.
وَمَتىand when تُخَوَّفُcan be frightened ذيthese البِلادُlands وَدونَهاand before them
وَمَتى تُخَوَّفُ ذي البِلادُ وَدونَها
مَلِكٌa king تَدينُsubmit لَهُto him المُلوكُthe kings الصيدُproud
مَلِكٌ تَدينُ لَهُ المُلوكُ الصيدُ
How could these lands be frightened, when before them stands
When the lord of nations and those under them
a king to whom proud kings submit?
Feel dread, kings submit to him like prey.
وَلِيَتundertook نُمَيرٌNumayr نَصرَهُhis support وَرَبيعَةٌand Rabi'a
وَلِيَت نُمَيرٌ نَصرَهُ وَرَبيعَةٌ
وَلَهُand he has مِنَfrom العَزمِresolve الوَحِيِّswift جُنودُarmies
وَلَهُ مِنَ العَزمِ الوَحِيِّ جُنودُ
Numayr and Rabi'a have undertaken his support,
Numayr and Rabi’a ready their aid for him.
and he has armies of swift resolve.
The Divine inspiration prepares armies for him.
وَلَقَدand indeed حَباهُbestowed on him أُخُوَّةًbrotherhood وَمَحَبَّةًand affection
وَلَقَد حَباهُ أُخُوَّةً وَمَحَبَّةً
مَلِكٌa king لَهُto him أَهلُthe people الزَمانِof the age عَبيدُare slaves
مَلِكٌ لَهُ أَهلُ الزَمانِ عَبيدُ
Indeed, he was granted brotherhood and affection
A king for whom all people are servants -
by a king whose slaves are the people of the age.
God endowed him with siblinghood and affection.
وَدَعاهُand called him ذاpossessor of الحَسَبَينِthe two noble lineages عِلماًknowing أَنَّهُthat he
وَدَعاهُ ذا الحَسَبَينِ عِلماً أَنَّهُ
يُزهىtakes pride بِهِin him التَعظيمُexaltation وَالتَمجيدُand glorification
يُزهى بِهِ التَعظيمُ وَالتَمجيدُ
He called him “Lord of Two Noble Lineages,” knowing that
The Owner of the Two Noble Sanctuaries invited him in knowledge
exaltation and glorification themselves take pride in him.
That through him veneration and glorification become manifest.
يَاO بنَson الَّذينَof those who إِذاwhen تَضَوَّعَspreads fragrantly نَشرُهُمtheir fragrance
يَا بنَ الَّذينَ إِذا تَضَوَّعَ نَشرُهُم
كَسَدَloses demand العَبيرُperfume بِهِbecause of it وَهانَand loses worth العودُaloeswood
كَسَدَ العَبيرُ بِهِ وَهانَ العودُ
O son of those whose fragrance, when it spreads,
O son of those whose assembly, when filled,
leaves perfume without buyers and aloeswood cheap!
Emits such fragrance that perfume and wood abate!
أُسَرٌfamilies لَهاthey have فَوقَabove السَماءِthe sky أَسِرَّةٌcouches
أُسَرٌ لَها فَوقَ السَماءِ أَسِرَّةٌ
وَلِطِفلِهاand for their infant الحابيcrawling هُناكَthere مُهودُcradles
وَلِطِفلِها الحابي هُناكَ مُهودُ
Families with couches above the sky,
They have above the sky a most wondrous rising place,
and cradles there for their crawling infant.
And for their babbling children, cradles await.
قَومٌa people أَقامواthey revived سوقَthe market كُلِّof every فَضيلَةٍvirtue
قَومٌ أَقاموا سوقَ كُلِّ فَضيلَةٍ
كَسَدَتlanguished وَقامواand they rose وَالأَنامُwhile mankind قُعودُwas seated
كَسَدَت وَقاموا وَالأَنامُ قُعودُ
A people who revived the market of every virtue
A people who established markets for every virtue,
that had languished, and rose while mankind sat.
Prevailing while people slumbered.
وَغَنواand they prospered وَلاand not فيin البَأسِhardship يَدخُلُenters ذِكرُهُمtheir mention
وَغَنوا وَلا في البَأسِ يَدخُلُ ذِكرُهُم
وَالبَأسُand valor أَوفىthe fullest كَسبِهِمof their gains وَالجودُand generosity
وَالبَأسُ أَوفى كَسبِهِم وَالجودُ
They prospered, never mentioned among those in hardship,
They sang though no affliction entered their abodes,
while valor and generosity were their richest gains.
But chastisement most befitting their deeds and generosity.
كُلٌّeach one إِذاwhen ماever الحَربُwar شُبَّتis kindled عامِرٌAmir
كُلٌّ إِذا ما الحَربُ شُبَّت عامِرٌ
وَإِذاand when أَتىarrive الأَضيافُthe guests فَهوَthen he is لَبيدُLabid
وَإِذا أَتى الأَضيافُ فَهوَ لَبيدُ
Each one, whenever war is kindled, is Amir,
Each becomes populous when war flames up,
and when guests arrive, he is Labid.
And each is hospitable when guests arrive.
تَتوَقَّعُexpect الأَذوادُthe camel herds مِنهُfrom him عاقِراًa slaughterer
تَتوَقَّعُ الأَذوادُ مِنهُ عاقِراً
ماnot زالَhas ceased يَحميhe protects سَرحَهاtheir grazing stock وَيَذودُand defends
ما زالَ يَحمي سَرحَها وَيَذودُ
The camel herds await him as their slaughterer,
Droves expect barrenness from them,
though he has always guarded their grazing stock and defended them:
Yet they never cease to protect their meadows and fortify.
مِنfrom كُلِّevery مُحدَثَةِnewly delivered of الفَصيلِa calf وَمُقرَمٍand a breeding sire
مِن كُلِّ مُحدَثَةِ الفَصيلِ وَمُقرَمٍ
قَدalready صَدَّhe repelled عَنهُaway from it الجَيشَthe army وَهوَwhile it was عَتودُa young male
قَد صَدَّ عَنهُ الجَيشَ وَهوَ عَتودُ
among them every newly calved dam and every breeding sire,
Against every rebel band and rogue,
from which he repelled an army while it was still young.
They drive away armies while extremely enraged.
تُصبيهِcaptivate him مُرهَفَةُsharpened الظُبىblade-edges مَخضوبَةًstained
تُصبيهِ مُرهَفَةُ الظُبى مَخضوبَةً
بِدَمِwith the blood الأَعاديof enemies لاnot الظِباءُgazelles الغيدُgraceful
بِدَمِ الأَعادي لا الظِباءُ الغيدُ
Keen-edged swords captivate him, stained
Does, made pregnant by them, birth fawns
with enemies' blood, not graceful gazelles.
Dyed with the blood of enemies, not with dust.
وَلَهُand he has نُهودٌadvances فيin المُغارِthe raid عَلَيهِمُagainst them
وَلَهُ نُهودٌ في المُغارِ عَلَيهِمُ
تُنسيmake him forget غُصوناًboughs حَملُهُنَّtheir burden نُهودُbreasts
تُنسي غُصوناً حَملُهُنَّ نُهودُ
His advances in raids against them
For them in alcoves are wild cows
make him forget boughs whose burden is breasts.
Whose udders give milk though having no calves.
وَيَروقُهُand delights him نَأيٌdistant travel وَعَودٌand an aged camel يَقطَعُcrosses الthe
وَيَروقُهُ نَأيٌ وَعَودٌ يَقطَعُ ال
فَلَواتِwastes لاnot نايٌa flute يَروقُdelights وَعودُand a lute
فَلَواتِ لا نايٌ يَروقُ وَعودُ
He delights in distance and a seasoned camel crossing the
He loves remoteness and returning through wastelands,
wastes, not in the charm of flute and lute.
Not flutes that captivate and enchant.
طالواthey surpassed الأَنامَmankind وَطُلتَهُمand you surpassed them بِخَلائِقٍwith qualities
طالوا الأَنامَ وَطُلتَهُم بِخَلائِقٍ
خُلِقَتwere fashioned عَلىaccording to ماwhat تَشتَهيyou desire وَتُريدُand wish
خُلِقَت عَلى ما تَشتَهي وَتُريدُ
They towered over mankind; you towered over them with qualities
They have prolonged the lives of people and their stay,
fashioned according to what you desire and wish.
With traits created just as each wishes and desires.
وَلَقَدand indeed حَوَيتَyou gained مِنَof المَعاليhigh honors طارِفاًnewly acquired glory
وَلَقَد حَوَيتَ مِنَ المَعالي طارِفاً
تَغنىyou are self-sufficient بِهِthrough it عَنwithout أَنthat يُعَدَّbe counted تَليدُinherited glory
تَغنى بِهِ عَن أَن يُعَدَّ تَليدُ
You have acquired new heights of honor,
You have indeed attained lofty glories enough
enough to dispense with any tally of inherited glory.
To make you independent of following convention.
كَرَمٌgenerosity تُمَدُّare stretched إِلَيهِtoward it أَعناقُthe necks المُنىof wishes
كَرَمٌ تُمَدُّ إِلَيهِ أَعناقُ المُنى
وَسُطىًand assaults لِهَيبَتِهاin awe of them الجِبالُthe mountains تَميدُsway
وَسُطىً لِهَيبَتِها الجِبالُ تَميدُ
Generosity toward which the necks of wishes stretch,
A generosity people crane their necks to reach
and assaults whose terror makes mountains sway.
And for which even mountains bow in humility.
وَنَأَيتَand you drew far away عَنfrom أَهلِthe people الزَمانِof the age بِهِمَّةٍthrough an ambition
وَنَأَيتَ عَن أَهلِ الزَمانِ بِهِمَّةٍ
قَدalready جازَتِpassed beyond النَسرَينِthe two Eagles وَهيَwhile it is صَعودُascending
قَد جازَتِ النَسرَينِ وَهيَ صَعودُ
You have drawn far above the people of your age through an ambition
You have attained, with exceptional resolve,
that has passed the two Eagles and is still ascending.
A loftiness that transcends both eagles in ascent.
لاnot كَالرِجالِlike men تَبايَنواwho differed لَكِنbut كَماjust as
لا كَالرِجالِ تَبايَنوا لَكِن كَما
يَتَبايَنُdiffers المَوجودُwhat is present وَالمَفقودُand what is absent
يَتَبايَنُ المَوجودُ وَالمَفقودُ
Not as men differ from one another, but as
Not as men differed, but as existent differs from nonexistent;
what is present differs from what is absent.
This endures desired, while the other is lost.
فَلِذاso for this reason الثَناءُpraise عَلَيكَof you ضِدُthe opposite of ثَنائِهِمpraise of them
فَلِذا الثَناءُ عَلَيكَ ضِدُ ثَنائِهِم
ذاthis مُنشَدٌrecited أَبَداًalways وَذاand that مَنشودُsought
ذا مُنشَدٌ أَبَداً وَذا مَنشودُ
Thus praise of you is the opposite of praise of them:
So praising you counters their praise:
yours is always recited; theirs is merely sought.
One is ever chanted while the other is sought.
مازالَhas continually يَسقَمُbeen sickly وَعدُهُمtheir promise وَوَعيدُهُمand their threat
مازالَ يَسقَمُ وَعدُهُم وَوَعيدُهُم
وَيَصِحُّand is sound عِندَكَwith you مَوعِدٌa promise وَوَعيدُand a threat
وَيَصِحُّ عِندَكَ مَوعِدٌ وَوَعيدُ
Their promises and threats remain sickly,
Their promises and threats remain suspect,
while with you promise and threat are sound.
While your promise and warning prove true.
عاشواthey lived وَماand not يَخضَلُّgrows moist فيin حُجُراتِهِمtheir chambers
عاشوا وَما يَخضَلُّ في حُجُراتِهِم
تُربٌsoil وَلاnor يَخضَرُّgrows green فيهِمamong them عودُa branch
تُربٌ وَلا يَخضَرُّ فيهِم عودُ
They lived, yet never in their chambers grew moist
They lived but withered in their chambers,
the soil, nor among them did a branch grow green.
No greenery thriving, only dust accumulated.
فَأَرَحتَهُمso you spared them بِاليَأسِthrough despair مِنof ذاthis المُرتَقىlofty ascent
فَأَرَحتَهُم بِاليَأسِ مِن ذا المُرتَقى
فَلَهُمso they have نُكوصٌretreat دونَهُshort of it وَنُدودُand flight
فَلَهُم نُكوصٌ دونَهُ وَنُدودُ
You spared them by making them despair of this height,
You made them despair of attaining these heights,
so they shrink back below it and flee.
So they recoiled and were driven away.
وَإِذاand when سَمَتrise high آمالُhopes حاسِدِof an envier نِعمَةٍof a blessing
وَإِذا سَمَت آمالُ حاسِدِ نِعمَةٍ
بَسَطَhe stretches الرَجاءَhope فَعَبدُكَthen your servant المَحسودُis the envied one
بَسَطَ الرَجاءَ فَعَبدُكَ المَحسودُ
When the hopes of one envying a blessing rise high,
When the hopes of one jealous of another's blessing aim high,
and he stretches his hope, your servant is the one envied.
Your servant overlooked turns hopeful.
وَالعَيشُand life غَضٌّfresh ماas long as سَلِمتَyou remain safe لأَمَّةٍfor a nation
وَالعَيشُ غَضٌّ ما سَلِمتَ لأَمَّةٍ
إِصلاحُهاits restoration إِلّاexcept عَلَيكَthrough you بَعيدُfar off
إِصلاحُها إِلّا عَلَيكَ بَعيدُ
Life is fresh while you remain safe for a nation
Life is miserable unless you secure for your nation
whose restoration lies beyond all but you.
Reform, which none but you can achieve.
أَوطَنتَyou settled فيهاin it الأَمنَsecurity بَعدَafter نُزوحِهِits departure
أَوطَنتَ فيها الأَمنَ بَعدَ نُزوحِهِ
وَنَفَيتَand you banished عَنهاfrom it الخوفَfear فَهوَso it is طَريدُan outcast
وَنَفَيتَ عَنها الخوفَ فَهوَ طَريدُ
You made security dwell there after its departure,
You instilled security after its flight,
and banished fear from it, leaving it an outcast.
Banishing fear so none remains.
فَلَوِso if اِستَطاعَتwere able أَنto تُكَلِّمَspeak أَرضُهُمtheir land
فَلَوِ اِستَطاعَت أَن تُكَلِّمَ أَرضُهُم
أَثنَتwould praise عَلَيكَyou تَهائِمٌlowlands وَنُجودُand uplands
أَثنَت عَلَيكَ تَهائِمٌ وَنُجودُ
If their land were able to speak,
If their land could speak, it would praise you,
lowlands and uplands would praise you.
With oxen and camels extolling your nobleness.
ظَلَّتremained عَشيرَتُكَyour clan الَّتيwhich عاشَرتَهاyou lived among them
ظَلَّت عَشيرَتُكَ الَّتي عاشَرتَها
فَلَهاso it has مُروقٌdefection دائِمٌconstant وَمُرودُand rebellion
فَلَها مُروقٌ دائِمٌ وَمُرودُ
Your clan, with whom you lived, remained
You made those tribes you dealt with
unceasing in defection and rebellion.
Live in everlasting anxiety and exile.
فَجَعَلتَso you made مَحضَpure الخَوفِfear مِلءَthe fullness of صُدورِهِمtheir breasts
فَجَعَلتَ مَحضَ الخَوفِ مِلءَ صُدورِهِم
فَعَناso submitted عَنيدٌthe obstinate وَاِستَقامَand grew upright عَنودُthe refractory
فَعَنا عَنيدٌ وَاِستَقامَ عَنودُ
You filled their breasts with unalloyed fear,
You instilled pure dread in their hearts
so the obstinate submitted and the refractory grew upright.
So the disgraced and outcast grew straight.
ماnot إِنat all يَحُلُّsettles in الرُعبُterror صَدراًa breast واغِراًseething with rancor
ما إِن يَحُلُّ الرُعبُ صَدراً واغِراً
فَتُقيمَso that remain فيهِin it سَخائِمٌmalice وَحُقودُand grudges
فَتُقيمَ فيهِ سَخائِمٌ وَحُقودُ
Terror does not settle in a breast seething with rancor
When fear resides in an open chest,
and still allow malice and grudges to remain.
It erects encampments and becomes entrenched.
لَوif كُنتَyou were ياO تاجَcrown المُلوكِof kings مُؤازِراًa supporter
لَو كُنتَ يا تاجَ المُلوكِ مُؤازِراً
لِسَمِيِّof the namesake جَدِّكَof your grandfather ماnot عَصَتهُdisobeyed him ثَمودُThamud
لِسَمِيِّ جَدِّكَ ما عَصَتهُ ثَمودُ
Had you, O crown of kings, been a supporter
Had you, O crown of kings, supported
of your grandfather's namesake, Thamud would not have disobeyed him.
The prophet, your grandfather, Thamud would not have defied him.
أَوor كُنتَyou were ناصِرَa supporter of هاشِمٍHashim فيماin times that مَضىpassed
أَو كُنتَ ناصِرَ هاشِمٍ فيما مَضى
ماnot دَلَّpointed the way مُرتادٌa scout وَخابَand failed مُريدُa seeker
ما دَلَّ مُرتادٌ وَخابَ مُريدُ
Or had you supported Hashim in days gone by,
Or had you aided Hashim in days gone by,
no scout would have pointed the way, nor any seeker failed.
No pilgrim would lose his way, or seeker be denied.
تَزدادُyou increase مَجداًin glory لَيسَnot يُعرَفُis known كُلَّماwhenever
تَزدادُ مَجداً لَيسَ يُعرَفُ كُلَّما
قالَتsaid عُداتُكَyour enemies ماwhat عَساهُcould he يَزيدُadd
قالَت عُداتُكَ ما عَساهُ يَزيدُ
You gain unheard-of glory whenever
You grow in glory - none can comprehend the full extent -
your enemies say, “What more could he add?”
Whenever your enemies say: “How much more will he gain?”
فَشِمِso sheathe السُيوفَthe swords فَطالَماfor how often جَرَّدتَهاyou bared them
فَشِمِ السُيوفَ فَطالَما جَرَّدتَها
حَتّىuntil لَقُلناwe surely said ماnot لَهُنَّthey have غُمودُsheaths
حَتّى لَقُلنا ما لَهُنَّ غُمودُ
So sheathe the swords; how often you have bared them,
So bare the swords - you have brandished them so long,
until we said, “They have no sheaths!”
We would think they have no sheaths.
هِندِيَّةٌIndian swords كَمhow often مَزَّقَتthey tore فيin مَأزِقٍa battle's press
هِندِيَّةٌ كَم مَزَّقَت في مَأزِقٍ
ماwhat كانَhad أَحكَمَperfected سَردَهُits links داوودُDavid
ما كانَ أَحكَمَ سَردَهُ داوودُ
Indian blades—how often in the press of battle they tore
Many an Indian sword, when dire straits struck,
what David had so perfectly linked!
Shattered though tempered by David's mighty hands.
أَثنىpraised عَلَيكَyou مُؤالِفٌan ally وَمُخالِفٌand an opponent
أَثنى عَلَيكَ مُؤالِفٌ وَمُخالِفٌ
طَوعاًwillingly بِأَنَّكَthat you are فيin الزَمانِthe age فَريدُunique
طَوعاً بِأَنَّكَ في الزَمانِ فَريدُ
Friend and foe alike have praised you,
Those concurring and conflicting praise you,
freely admitting that you are unique in this age.
Admitting you are unmatched in this age.
فَعَجِبتُso I marveled كَيفَhow أَقَرَّadmitted أَنَّكَthat you are واحِدٌone
فَعَجِبتُ كَيفَ أَقَرَّ أَنَّكَ واحِدٌ
فيamong الناسِpeople مَنsomeone whose ماnot دينُهُhis religion التَوحيدُmonotheism
في الناسِ مَن ما دينُهُ التَوحيدُ
I marveled how it was admitted that you are one
So I wondered how he confessed you are peerless
among men, by someone whose creed is not monotheism.
Among people whose faith is God's Oneness.
وَقَصَرتَand you shortened وَعدَكَyour promise فَليَدُمso may endure مَقصورُهُits shortened span
وَقَصَرتَ وَعدَكَ فَليَدُم مَقصورُهُ
لِمُؤَمِّليكَfor those hoping in you وَعُمرُكَand your lifespan المَمدودُextended
لِمُؤَمِّليكَ وَعُمرُكَ المَمدودُ
You shortened your promise's delay; may that brevity endure
You fell short of your promise, so may its remainder persist
for those who hope in you, together with your long life.
For those hopeful in you, and may you live long.
تُغنيyou enrich العُفاةَpetitioners وَتَصطَفيand claim مُهَجَthe lifeblood العِدىof enemies
تُغني العُفاةَ وَتَصطَفي مُهَجَ العِدى
قامَتhave arisen بِذاكَfor that أَدِلَّةٌproofs وَشُهودُand witnesses
قامَت بِذاكَ أَدِلَّةٌ وَشُهودُ
You enrich petitioners and claim the lifeblood of foes;
It provides for the destitute and screens the transgressors -
proofs and witnesses have established that.
By this, proofs and witnesses have been established.
وَبِمَنهَجِand along the path الأَطماعِof desires تَختَلِفُdiffer الوَرىmankind
وَبِمَنهَجِ الأَطماعِ تَختَلِفُ الوَرى
هَذاthis one يُفيدُobtains غِنىًwealth وَذاكَand that one يُبيدُperishes
هَذا يُفيدُ غِنىً وَذاكَ يُبيدُ
Along the path of desires, people fare differently:
People vary in the aims they pursue -
this one gains wealth, while that one perishes.
One enriches, another destroys.
ياO كَعبَةَKaaba الجودِof generosity الَّتيwhich طُفناwe circled بِهاaround it
يا كَعبَةَ الجودِ الَّتي طُفنا بِها
فَلناso we have رُكوعٌbowing حَولَهاaround it وَسُجودُand prostration
فَلنا رُكوعٌ حَولَها وَسُجودُ
O Kaaba of generosity, which we have circled,
O Kaaba of munificence, we circumambulated you,
we bow and prostrate ourselves around it.
So we bow down and prostrate around you.
بِجَنابِكَin your precinct اِبيَضَّتturned white لَياليَّmy nights الَتيwhose
بِجَنابِكَ اِبيَضَّت لَياليَّ الَتي
أَيّامُهاtheir days مِنfrom قَبلِbefore قُربِكَnearness to you سودُblack
أَيّامُها مِن قَبلِ قُربِكَ سودُ
In your precinct my nights turned white—the nights
Nights illuminated by your presence
whose days, before I drew near you, had been black.
Were dark before your nearness.
وَخَرَجتُand I escaped مِنfrom حَجرِwardship الزَمانِof Time لِعِلمِهِbecause it knew
وَخَرَجتُ مِن حَجرِ الزَمانِ لِعِلمِهِ
أَنّيthat I بِإِفضائيby my reaching إِلَيكَyou رَشيدُsound in judgment
أَنّي بِإِفضائي إِلَيكَ رَشيدُ
I escaped Time's wardship, for it knew
I emerged from the confines of time knowing
that in reaching you I was sound in judgment.
That in turning to you, I am right-guided.
مِنَنٌfavors غَلَبتَyou overwhelmed بِهاwith them القَريضَpoetry فَماso not لَهُit has
مِنَنٌ غَلَبتَ بِها القَريضَ فَما لَهُ
بِذَراكَat your heights تَصويبٌdescent وَلاnor تَصعيدُascent
بِذَراكَ تَصويبٌ وَلا تَصعيدُ
Favors with which you overwhelmed poetry, leaving it
Favors that left the skillful poet at a loss -
no descent or ascent upon your heights.
He cannot properly direct or climb them.
وَأَعَدنَand they restored ليto me شَرخَthe prime الشَبابِof youth وَلَمand not أَخَلI supposed
وَأَعَدنَ لي شَرخَ الشَبابِ وَلَم أَخَل
مِنfrom قَبلِهاbefore them أَنَّthat الشَبابَyouth يَعودُreturns
مِن قَبلِها أَنَّ الشَبابَ يَعودُ
They restored to me the prime of youth, though I never thought
They restored to me the days of my youth - before,
before them that youth could return.
I thought not that youth would return.
وَلَهُنَّand they have فيin سوقِthe market الثَناءِof praise بَضائِعٌwares
وَلَهُنَّ في سوقِ الثَناءِ بَضائِعٌ
تُزجىare circulated وَفيand in سوقِthe market العُفاةِof petitioners قُيودُfetters
تُزجى وَفي سوقِ العُفاةِ قُيودُ
They have wares in the market of praise
For them in the market of praise are treasures hawked,
that are circulated, and fetters in the market of petitioners.
While in the market of the chaste are fetters.
أَذهَلتَنيyou overwhelmed me عَنfrom أَنto أَقومَfulfill بِحَقِّهاtheir due
أَذهَلتَني عَن أَن أَقومَ بِحَقِّها
ياO واسِميyou who mark me بِالعَجزِwith helplessness حينَwhen يَجودُhe gives generously
يا واسِمي بِالعَجزِ حينَ يَجودُ
You have overwhelmed me so I cannot do them justice,
They mystified tongues such that if unleashed,
O you who brand me helpless whenever you give.
Our camels would race, spurred by them.
وَإِذاand if اِعتَرَفتُI acknowledge بِهِit وَقَصَّرَand fell short شاطِرِيmy clever self
وَإِذا اِعتَرَفتُ بِهِ وَقَصَّرَ شاطِرِي
عِيّاًthrough inarticulacy فَذاكَthen that الإِعتِرافُacknowledgment جُحودُdenial
عِيّاً فَذاكَ الإِعتِرافُ جُحودُ
If I acknowledge it, while my skill falls short
Their frequent mention made the gloomy night preserve them -
through inarticulacy, that acknowledgment is denial.
What is repeated, both raven and desert know.
لاnot تُلزِمَنّيmake me bear فَوقَbeyond جَهديmy strength مُعنِتاًovertaxing me
لا تُلزِمَنّي فَوقَ جَهدي مُعنِتاً
بِصِفاتِwith descriptions مَجدٍof glory مالَهاthat has no تَحديدُlimit
بِصِفاتِ مَجدٍ مالَها تَحديدُ
Do not overtax me, demanding beyond my strength
Discern their merit if you excel poems -
descriptions of glory that has no limit.
Not all who praise the splendid become splendid.
وَمَعَand despite اِعتِذارِيَmy apology فَاِستَمِعthen listen لِغَريبَةٍto a rare marvel
وَمَعَ اِعتِذارِيَ فَاِستَمِع لِغَريبَةٍ
عَونايَmy two helpers فيهاin it الفِكرُthought وَالتَسهيدُand sleeplessness
عَونايَ فيها الفِكرُ وَالتَسهيدُ
Despite my apology, listen to a rare marvel,
I charge you with caring for me, for among the tribes
in which thought and sleeplessness were my two helpers.
I have become one whose slavery you own.
لَوif أَنَّthat فَحلَيthe two master poets طَيِّئٍof Tayy حَضَراwere both present لَهاfor it
لَو أَنَّ فَحلَي طَيِّئٍ حَضَرا لَها
أَمضىwould ratify حَبيبٌHabib حُكمَهاits judgment وَوَليدُand Walid
أَمضى حَبيبٌ حُكمَها وَوَليدُ
Had the two master poets of Tayy been present for it,
My sole request, then, is your pardon for a slip -
Habib and Walid would have ratified its judgment.
No more than what you already granted me.
مَبذُولَةٌfreely offered فيamong القَومِthe people وَهيَyet it is مَصونَةٌprotected
مَبذُولَةٌ في القَومِ وَهيَ مَصونَةٌ
مَعقولَةٌtethered فيamong الحَيِّthe tribe وَهيَyet it is شَرودُroaming free
مَعقولَةٌ في الحَيِّ وَهيَ شَرودُ
Freely given among the people, yet protected;
Can anything befall me that I should fear,
tethered among the tribe, yet roaming free.
When your good judgment provides my arms and supplies?
خَفَّتwas light عَلىupon الأَفواهِmouths حَتّىuntil لَاِنبَرَتindeed took it up
خَفَّت عَلى الأَفواهِ حَتّى لَاِنبَرَت
تَحدوchant to urge onward بِهاwith it مَعَناwith us المَطاياthe mounts القودُlong-necked
تَحدو بِها مَعَنا المَطايا القودُ
It lay lightly upon the lips, until they took it up—
You continue to renew each coming year
the long-necked mounts, chanting it with us.
In glory, outshining all garments.
وَتَكَرَّرَتand was repeated فيناamong us فَمِمّاso from how often كُرِّرَتit was repeated
وَتَكَرَّرَت فينا فَمِمّا كُرِّرَت
قَدalready صارَhas come to يَحفَظُهاmemorize it الدُجىthe darkness وَالبيدُand the deserts
قَد صارَ يَحفَظُها الدُجى وَالبيدُ
It was repeated among us, and from such repetition
I see the stars transgress their rules
the darkness and deserts have come to memorize it.
Except upon you - for them, you are felicitous.
فاضِلcompare for excellence بِهاwith it الأَشعارَthe poems تَعرِفyou will recognize فَضلَهاits superiority
فاضِل بِها الأَشعارَ تَعرِف فَضلَها
ماnot كُلُّall مَنwhoever مدَحَpraised المَجيدَthe illustrious مُجيدُan accomplished poet
ما كُلُّ مَن مدَحَ المَجيدَ مُجيدُ
Compare it with other poems, and you will know its worth:
not all who praise the excellent excel.
أوصيكَI enjoin you بيconcerning me خَيراًkindly فَإِنّيfor indeed I فيamong الأُلىthose who
أوصيكَ بي خَيراً فَإِنّي في الأُلى
أَصبَحتَyou have become مالِكَmaster of رِقِّهِمtheir bondage مَعدودُam numbered
أَصبَحتَ مالِكَ رِقِّهِم مَعدودُ
I commend myself to your kindness, for among those
whose bondage you now own I am numbered.
وَوَصيَّتيكَand my advising you فَجُدso grant generously بِعَفوِكَyour pardon زَلَّةٌa slip
وَوَصيَّتيكَ فَجُد بِعَفوِكَ زَلَّةٌ
ماnot فَوقَabove ماwhat أَولَيتَنيهِyou bestowed it on me مَزيدُany addition
ما فَوقَ ما أَولَيتَنيهِ مَزيدُ
My advising you is a slip—so grant me your pardon;
nothing can be added to what you have bestowed on me.
أَيَنالُنيcan befall me شَيءٌsomething أُحاذِرُهُI fear it وَليwhile I have
أَيَنالُني شَيءٌ أُحاذِرُهُ وَلي
مِنfrom حُسنِthe goodness رَأيِكَof your regard عُدَّةٌequipment وَعَديدُand troops
مِن حُسنِ رَأيِكَ عُدَّةٌ وَعَديدُ
Could anything I dread befall me, when I have
from your kind regard both equipment and troops?
لاnot زِلتَmay you cease تُبليwearing out كُلَّevery عامٍyear قادِمٍcoming
لا زِلتَ تُبلي كُلَّ عامٍ قادِمٍ
فيin العِزِّglory ماas long as خَلَفَsucceeds اللَبيسَthe worn garment جَديدُa new one
في العِزِّ ما خَلَفَ اللَبيسَ جَديدُ
May you ever wear out each coming year
in glory, as long as new raiment replaces the worn.
وَأَرىand I see النُجومَthe stars تَخالَفَتdiffered أَحكامُهاtheir decrees
وَأَرى النُجومَ تَخالَفَت أَحكامُها
إِلّاexcept عَلَيكَregarding you فَإِنَّهُنَّfor indeed they سُعودُare auspicious
إِلّا عَلَيكَ فَإِنَّهُنَّ سُعودُ
I see the stars' decrees at odds,
except concerning you, for they are all auspicious.
Partial English translation: 146 of 158 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1