أَبى الدَهرُ إِلّا أَن تَقولَ وَتَفعَلا

أَبى الدَهرُ إِلّا أَن تَقولَ وَتَفعَلا

لِتَصفَحَ عَن جُرمِ الزَمانِ الَّذي خَلا

لِتَصفَحَ عَن جُرمِ الزَمانِ الَّذي خَلا

Time insisted that you should speak and act,

Fate insisted that you should speak and act

so that you might pardon the offense of the time gone by.

To pardon the sin of bygone times,

وَمِن قَبلُ عاداكُم لِقَهرِكُمُ لَهُ

وَمِن قَبلُ عاداكُم لِقَهرِكُمُ لَهُ

فَلَمّا رَآها فُرصَةً ما تَمَهَّلا

فَلَمّا رَآها فُرصَةً ما تَمَهَّلا

Before, it opposed you because you had subdued it;

Those who before opposed you did so to subdue you,

then, when it saw an opportunity, it did not delay.

When they saw a chance, they showed no hesitation.

وَرَدَّ إِلَيكَ الأَمرَ وَالنَهيَ راغِماً

وَرَدَّ إِلَيكَ الأَمرَ وَالنَهيَ راغِماً

وَلَو أَنَّهُ أَلفى بَديلاً تَبَدَّلا

وَلَو أَنَّهُ أَلفى بَديلاً تَبَدَّلا

It reluctantly restored command and prohibition to you,

It directed command and prohibition to you by force,

and had it found a substitute, it would have changed.

Had it found an alternative, it would have changed.

فَما ذَمُّهُ إِذ نالَ بَعضَ تِراتِهِ

فَما ذَمُّهُ إِذ نالَ بَعضَ تِراتِهِ

وَما حَمدُهُ إِذ لَم يَجِد عَنكَ مَعدِلا

وَما حَمدُهُ إِذ لَم يَجِد عَنكَ مَعدِلا

Why blame it, when it avenged some of its wrongs?

So it is not to blame when it took some of its rights,

And why praise it, when it found no alternative to you?

Nor to praise when it found no way to turn from you,

فَلا تُنكِرِ الحُسّادُ أَن حُزتَ يافِعاً

فَلا تُنكِرِ الحُسّادُ أَن حُزتَ يافِعاً

مَحَلّاً لَهُ في المَهدِ كُنتَ مُؤَهَّلا

مَحَلّاً لَهُ في المَهدِ كُنتَ مُؤَهَّلا

Let the envious not deny that you attained, while young,

Let not the envious deny that you assumed leadership at an early age

a station for which you were qualified in the cradle.

For which you were destined since the cradle.

فَصَدَّقتَ مَن سَمّاكَ مِن قَبلُ سابِقاً

فَصَدَّقتَ مَن سَمّاكَ مِن قَبلُ سابِقاً

بِكَونِكَ سَبّاقاً إِلى رُتَبِ العُلا

بِكَونِكَ سَبّاقاً إِلى رُتَبِ العُلا

You vindicated whoever first named you Sabiq,

You proved true those who named you the forerunner before,

by racing ahead toward the ranks of glory.

By being the first to reach high office.

تَكَدَّرَ ماءُ العَيشِ لَحظَةَ ناظِرٍ

تَكَدَّرَ ماءُ العَيشِ لَحظَةَ ناظِرٍ

فَلَمّا حَوَيتَ المُلكَ عاوَدَ سَلسَلا

فَلَمّا حَوَيتَ المُلكَ عاوَدَ سَلسَلا

The water of life grew turbid for the blink of an eye;

The water of life was disturbed for an onlooker,

but when you gained the kingdom, it flowed sweetly again.

But when you gained the throne, it flowed calmly again.

فَلِلَّهِ مَفقودٌ عَزيزٌ مُصابُهُ

فَلِلَّهِ مَفقودٌ عَزيزٌ مُصابُهُ

عَراهُ مُلِمٌّ لَم يَجِد مِنهُ مَوئِلا

عَراهُ مُلِمٌّ لَم يَجِد مِنهُ مَوئِلا

What a departed one, by God—how grievous his loss!

The loss of that dear noble afflicted by dire poverty

A calamity befell him from which he found no refuge.

Is hard to bear; he found no refuge.

أَتاهُ وَحِيّاً حَتفُهُ كَهِباتِهِ

أَتاهُ وَحِيّاً حَتفُهُ كَهِباتِهِ

وَإِن كانَ ما أَعطاهُ أَوحى وَأَعجَلا

وَإِن كانَ ما أَعطاهُ أَوحى وَأَعجَلا

His death came swiftly to him, like his gifts,

His destined death came to him suddenly

though what he gave was swifter and quicker still.

Though what it gave him came too soon.

فَمِن قَبلِهِ لَم تَنشَ في الأَرضِ ديمَةٌ

فَمِن قَبلِهِ لَم تَنشَ في الأَرضِ ديمَةٌ

تَسُحُّ وَلا لاقى الغَمامُ مُبَخِّلا

تَسُحُّ وَلا لاقى الغَمامُ مُبَخِّلا

Before him, no steady rain had arisen upon the earth

Before him, the land never brought forth vegetation

to pour down, nor had the clouds met anyone who called them stingy.

That sheep could graze nor did the rain clouds withhold.

وَعَهدي بِأَثمارِ الأَمانِيِّ تُجتَنى

وَعَهدي بِأَثمارِ الأَمانِيِّ تُجتَنى

لَدَيهِ وَأَبكارِ المَحامِدِ تُجتَلا

لَدَيهِ وَأَبكارِ المَحامِدِ تُجتَلا

I remember the fruits of wishes being gathered

I saw hopes’ fruits harvested in his presence

beside him, and the virgin maidens of praise being unveiled.

And first fruits of praise picked.

سَأَذكُرُهُ ما عِشتُ لا ذِكرَ عاتِبٍ

سَأَذكُرُهُ ما عِشتُ لا ذِكرَ عاتِبٍ

كَذِكرِ اِمرِيءِ القَيسِ الدَخولَ فَحَومَلا

كَذِكرِ اِمرِيءِ القَيسِ الدَخولَ فَحَومَلا

I shall remember him as long as I live, not as a reproacher,

I will remember him as long as I live, not like one who reproaches,

but as Imru' al-Qays remembered al-Dakhul and Hawmal.

Like the mention of Imru’ al-Qais entering Fahmul.

وَإِن بَلِيَت أَوصالُهُ وَعِظامُهُ

وَإِن بَلِيَت أَوصالُهُ وَعِظامُهُ

فَعِندي ثَناءٌ لا يُلِمُّ بِهِ البِلا

فَعِندي ثَناءٌ لا يُلِمُّ بِهِ البِلا

Though his limbs and bones decay,

Though his limbs and bones have wasted away,

I have praise that decay will never touch.

I have a eulogy that does not blame misfortune.

وَلَو كانَتِ الأَقدارُ تُردَعُ بِالأَسى

وَلَو كانَتِ الأَقدارُ تُردَعُ بِالأَسى

وَتُقدَعُ كانَ الصَبرُ أَولى وَأَجمَلا

وَتُقدَعُ كانَ الصَبرُ أَولى وَأَجمَلا

Even if fate's decrees could be checked by grief

If fates could be warded off with anguish

and restrained, patience would be more fitting and more beautiful.

And pushed away, patience would be best and most beautiful.

وَكَيفَ وَلَيسَ الحُزنُ إِلّا عُلالَةً

وَكَيفَ وَلَيسَ الحُزنُ إِلّا عُلالَةً

يَعيشُ بِها الغَمرُ الجَهولُ تَعَلُّلا

يَعيشُ بِها الغَمرُ الجَهولُ تَعَلُّلا

How much more so, when sorrow is only a diversion

How could it when grief is but an ailment

by which the ignorant simpleton lives, seeking consolation.

That ignorant sorrowful souls contract.

وَما الناسُ إِلّا آمِنٌ مِثلُ خائِفٍ

وَما الناسُ إِلّا آمِنٌ مِثلُ خائِفٍ

وَدانٍ كَقاصٍ أَو مُعافىً كَمُبتَلا

وَدانٍ كَقاصٍ أَو مُعافىً كَمُبتَلا

People are only the secure, alike to the fearful,

People are either safe or afraid,

and the near like the distant, or the healthy like the afflicted.

Humbled or victorious, prosperous or afflicted.

وَلَم نَرَ خَطباً نالَ مِنّا فَأَعقَبَت

وَلَم نَرَ خَطباً نالَ مِنّا فَأَعقَبَت

إِساءَتُهُ نُعمى وَجارَ لِيَعدِلا

إِساءَتُهُ نُعمى وَجارَ لِيَعدِلا

We had never seen a calamity strike us, then bring

We have not seen a disaster that afflicted us

blessing after its harm, and wrong us only to do justice;

Whose harm was followed by blessing and justice.

وَلا حادِثاً راعَ القُلوبَ ظُهورُهُ

وَلا حادِثاً راعَ القُلوبَ ظُهورُهُ

عَبوساً وَفي حالِ العُبوسِ تَهَلَّلا

عَبوساً وَفي حالِ العُبوسِ تَهَلَّلا

nor an event whose appearance terrified hearts,

Nor an incident that shook hearts when it appeared

grim-faced, yet brightening amid its very grimness.

Gloomy, yet in that gloom it was adorned.

أَرادَ شَقاءً فَاِستَحالَ سَعادَةً

أَرادَ شَقاءً فَاِستَحالَ سَعادَةً

وَرامَ قَبيحاً حينَ صالَ فَأَجمَلا

وَرامَ قَبيحاً حينَ صالَ فَأَجمَلا

It intended misery, but turned into happiness;

It wanted misery yet turned into bliss,

it sought ugliness when it attacked, yet wrought beauty.

It sought ugliness yet turned beautifully good.

لَئِن أَخَذَ المِقدارُ وَهوَ مُحَكَّمٌ

لَئِن أَخَذَ المِقدارُ وَهوَ مُحَكَّمٌ

عَظيماً لَقَد أَعطى عَظيماً وَأَجزَلا

عَظيماً لَقَد أَعطى عَظيماً وَأَجزَلا

Though destiny, empowered as arbiter, took

If fate, which rules justly, has taken

a great man, it has indeed given a great man, and given more generously.

A great man, it surely gave a great noble gift.

عَدا وَاِبتَغى مِنهُ بَديلاً فَما عَدا

عَدا وَاِبتَغى مِنهُ بَديلاً فَما عَدا

هُماماً مُعِمّاً في النَباهَةِ مُخوِلا

هُماماً مُعِمّاً في النَباهَةِ مُخوِلا

It struck and sought a replacement for him, looking no further than

It yielded and sought to replace him but did not find

a magnanimous man, illustrious in his paternal and maternal kin.

A resolute man accomplished in distinction to succeed him.

مَناسِبُ فَنّاخُسرُ مِنها وَصالِحٌ

مَناسِبُ فَنّاخُسرُ مِنها وَصالِحٌ

بِها فَليَطُل مَن طالَ وَليَعلُ مَن عَلا

بِها فَليَطُل مَن طالَ وَليَعلُ مَن عَلا

Lineages that include Fannakhusru and Salih:

One whose loss we feel yet one whose presence benefits,

by them let the lofty stand tall and the exalted rise.

So let the towering remain towering and the mighty empowered.

سَخِطنا فَلَمّا قُمتَ فينا مَقامَهُ

سَخِطنا فَلَمّا قُمتَ فينا مَقامَهُ

وَزِدتَ رَضينا أَن تُقيمَ وَيَرحَلا

وَزِدتَ رَضينا أَن تُقيمَ وَيَرحَلا

We were angered; but when you took his place among us

We were angry yet when you assumed his position

and surpassed him, we were content that you should stay and he depart.

And you made us more content for you to stay as he departed.

وَراعَ الأَعادي أَنَّهُ المُلكُ عَن يَدٍ

وَراعَ الأَعادي أَنَّهُ المُلكُ عَن يَدٍ

إِلى أُختِها وَهيَ اليَمينُ تَنَقَّلا

إِلى أُختِها وَهيَ اليَمينُ تَنَقَّلا

The enemies were alarmed that the kingdom, from one hand,

The enemies saw that power passed

had passed to its sister—the right hand.

From one hand to its sister, the right hand.

وَجَدتُ بَهاءَ الدَولَةِ المَلكَ لَم يَزَل

وَجَدتُ بَهاءَ الدَولَةِ المَلكَ لَم يَزَل

لَهُ العَزمُ حَدّاً وَالتَصَوُّرُ صَيقَلا

لَهُ العَزمُ حَدّاً وَالتَصَوُّرُ صَيقَلا

I have found King Baha al-Dawla ever

I found in it the splendor of the state whose king

with resolve for his edge and foresight for his polish.

Remains determined with imagination as polished steel.

هُوَ الداءُ أَعيا الناسَ طُرّاً دَواؤُهُ

هُوَ الداءُ أَعيا الناسَ طُرّاً دَواؤُهُ

فَلَو غَيرُهُ كانَ الطَبيبَ لَأَعضَلا

فَلَو غَيرُهُ كانَ الطَبيبَ لَأَعضَلا

It was the malady whose cure baffled everyone;

He is the disease that made the people fly joyously, his cure,

had anyone but him been the physician, it would have proved incurable.

Had it been other than him, would have crippled the doctor.

أَذَلَّ عَصِيَّ الخَطبِ بَعدَ جِماحِهِ

أَذَلَّ عَصِيَّ الخَطبِ بَعدَ جِماحِهِ

إِلى أَن أَتى مِمّا جَنى مُتَنَصِّلا

إِلى أَن أَتى مِمّا جَنى مُتَنَصِّلا

He subdued the unruly calamity after its defiance,

He subdued the refractory enemy after his ferocity

until it came seeking pardon for the harm it had done.

Until he came away seeking conciliation.

رَآهُ بِعَينِ الفِكرِ قَبلَ وُقوعِهِ

رَآهُ بِعَينِ الفِكرِ قَبلَ وُقوعِهِ

فَصادَفَ مِنهُ قُلَّبَ الرَأيِ حُوَّلا

فَصادَفَ مِنهُ قُلَّبَ الرَأيِ حُوَّلا

He saw it with the eye of thought before it happened,

He foresaw it with the eye of thought before its occurrence

so it encountered in him a mind versatile in judgment and resourceful,

So he confronted its ever-changing opinion.

إِلى أَن أَقَرَّ الأَمرَ في مُستَقَرِّهِ

إِلى أَن أَقَرَّ الأَمرَ في مُستَقَرِّهِ

فَأَمَّنَ ما يُخشى وَأَرخَصَ ما غَلا

فَأَمَّنَ ما يُخشى وَأَرخَصَ ما غَلا

until he settled the matter in its proper place,

Until he settled the matter in its position

making safe what was feared and cheap what was costly.

Securing what was feared and reducing what was expensive.

وَأَصفاكَهُ عَفواً وَلَم يُطِعِ الهَوى

وَأَصفاكَهُ عَفواً وَلَم يُطِعِ الهَوى

لِمَيلٍ وَلَم يَعصِ الكِتابَ المُنَزَّلا

لِمَيلٍ وَلَم يَعصِ الكِتابَ المُنَزَّلا

He freely made it wholly yours, yielding to no desire

He pardoned voluntarily, not obeying desire

through partiality, nor disobeying the revealed Book.

Out of bias nor disobeying the revealed scripture.

أَبانَ لَنا عَن هِمَّةٍ عَضُدِيَّةٍ

أَبانَ لَنا عَن هِمَّةٍ عَضُدِيَّةٍ

كَفى حَدُّها بيضَ الظُبى أَن تُسَلَّلا

كَفى حَدُّها بيضَ الظُبى أَن تُسَلَّلا

He showed us a resolve worthy of 'Adud,

He showed us his pillar-like ambition

whose edge spared bright sword-blades from being drawn.

Whose limit the forelocks of steeds if unleashed would not reach.

وَذَكَّرَنا أَسلافَهُ بِمَضائِهِ

وَذَكَّرَنا أَسلافَهُ بِمَضائِهِ

وَإِن كانَ أَوفى في النُفوسِ وَأَمثَلا

وَإِن كانَ أَوفى في النُفوسِ وَأَمثَلا

His decisiveness reminded us of his forebears,

He reminded us of his noble ancestors by his qualities

though he was more esteemed in men's hearts and more exemplary.

Though he was more faithful to souls and more exemplary.

وَما جُحِدَت عَلياؤُهُم غَيرَ أَنَّهُ

وَما جُحِدَت عَلياؤُهُم غَيرَ أَنَّهُ

أَتى حادِثٌ أَنسى القَديمَ وَأَذهَلا

أَتى حادِثٌ أَنسى القَديمَ وَأَذهَلا

Their eminence was not denied; only

Their superiority is not denied except

a new marvel came, making the old forgotten and minds astounded.

That an unprecedented event makes the old forgotten.

تَميدُ بِمَن يَعصيكَ أَرضٌ تَحُلُّها

تَميدُ بِمَن يَعصيكَ أَرضٌ تَحُلُّها

وَإِن لَم تُثِر فيها جِيادُكَ قَسطَلا

وَإِن لَم تُثِر فيها جِيادُكَ قَسطَلا

The ground you occupy reels beneath whoever disobeys you,

The land where you tread titters at those who disobey you

even when your steeds raise no dust upon it.

Even if your steeds did not stir up clouds of dust.

وَعَجزُهُمُ عَن أَن يُراعَ بِحَدِّهِم

وَعَجزُهُمُ عَن أَن يُراعَ بِحَدِّهِم

كَعَجزِ الصَبا عَن أَن تُحَرِّكَ يَذبُلا

كَعَجزِ الصَبا عَن أَن تُحَرِّكَ يَذبُلا

Their inability to inspire dread with their blades

Their inability to take heed of their limit

is like the east wind's inability to move Yadhbul.

Is like the youth’s inability to move a withered old man.

وَظَنّوا حِمى نَصرٍ يُباحُ بِمَوتِهِ

وَظَنّوا حِمى نَصرٍ يُباحُ بِمَوتِهِ

وَأَلفَوهُ ظَنّاً بِالبِوارِ مُوَكَّلا

وَأَلفَوهُ ظَنّاً بِالبِوارِ مُوَكَّلا

They thought Nasr's protected domain could be violated at his death,

They thought the sanctuary of your defense was violated by your death

but found that supposition consigned to destruction.

And they were accustomed to thinking it was left unguarded.

وَوارِثُهُ مَن سَدَّدَ اللَهُ سَهمَهُ

وَوارِثُهُ مَن سَدَّدَ اللَهُ سَهمَهُ

فَما إِن رَمى إِلّا وَصادَفَ مَقتَلا

فَما إِن رَمى إِلّا وَصادَفَ مَقتَلا

His heir is one whose arrow God has guided:

Yet your inheritor is one guided by God so his arrow

never did he shoot without striking a mortal spot.

Does not miss but always meets its fatal mark.

لَقَد فَتَحوا بابَ العُقوقِ جَهالَةً

لَقَد فَتَحوا بابَ العُقوقِ جَهالَةً

وَما زالَ بِالإِغضاءِ وَالصَفحِ مُقفَلا

وَما زالَ بِالإِغضاءِ وَالصَفحِ مُقفَلا

They opened the gate of disloyalty in ignorance,

In their ignorance, they opened the door of disobedience

though forbearance and pardon had always kept it locked.

Which always remains shut to forgiveness and pardon.

بَني عامِرٍ لا تَمتَطوا البَغيَ ضِلَّةً

بَني عامِرٍ لا تَمتَطوا البَغيَ ضِلَّةً

فَلَم يَعلُهُ المَغرورُ إِلّا لِيَسفُلا

فَلَم يَعلُهُ المَغرورُ إِلّا لِيَسفُلا

Sons of 'Amir, do not mount oppression in misguidedness:

Tribe of Amer do not follow misguidance pridefully

the deluded mounts it only to fall low.

For the deluded only followed it to be disgraced.

وَإِن نُتِجَت أُمُّ المَخافَةِ فيكُمُ

وَإِن نُتِجَت أُمُّ المَخافَةِ فيكُمُ

فَلا تَأمَنوها أَن تُعاوِدَ مُمغِلا

فَلا تَأمَنوها أَن تُعاوِدَ مُمغِلا

If the mother of fear has given birth among you,

If fear's mother is conceived in you,

do not trust her not to return, bearing again in swift succession.

Do not feel safe that her cheating ways will not return,

وَلا تَتبَعوا الأَهواءَ فَهيَ مُضِلَّةٌ

وَلا تَتبَعوا الأَهواءَ فَهيَ مُضِلَّةٌ

وَإِن سَوَّفَ الشَيطانُ فيها وَسَوَّلا

وَإِن سَوَّفَ الشَيطانُ فيها وَسَوَّلا

Do not follow desires, for they lead astray,

And do not follow vain desires for they cause to go astray

even if Satan holds out promises through them and makes them alluring.

Even if the devil has tempted and enticed in them.

وَلا تَقتَفوا مَن جارَ عَن مَنهَجِ الهُدى

وَلا تَقتَفوا مَن جارَ عَن مَنهَجِ الهُدى

فَأَدمى يَداً مِن حَقِّها أَن تُقَبَّلا

فَأَدمى يَداً مِن حَقِّها أَن تُقَبَّلا

Do not follow whoever strayed from the path of guidance

Do not imitate one who deviates from the path of guidance

and bloodied a hand whose right was to be kissed.

Staining what should be revered hands that should be kissed.

وَكونوا كَأَشياخٍ لَكُم غالَها الرَدى

وَكونوا كَأَشياخٍ لَكُم غالَها الرَدى

تَرى المَوتَ مِن نَقضِ المَواثيقِ أَسهَلا

تَرى المَوتَ مِن نَقضِ المَواثيقِ أَسهَلا

Be like those elders of yours whom death carried off,

Be like elders who considered violation of covenants worse than death

who considered death easier than breaking covenants.

For you see death easier than their annulment.

فَفي آلِ ذُبيانٍ وَأَبناءِ وائِلٍ

فَفي آلِ ذُبيانٍ وَأَبناءِ وائِلٍ

مَواعِظُ لا تَخفى عَلى مَن تَأَمَّلا

مَواعِظُ لا تَخفى عَلى مَن تَأَمَّلا

In the clan of Dhubyan and the sons of Wa'il

In the family of Thubian and the sons of Wael

are warnings clear to anyone who reflects.

Are admonitions not hidden from one who contemplates.

أَعَلّوا صَحيحَ الرَأيِ وَاِتَّبَعوا الهَوى

أَعَلّوا صَحيحَ الرَأيِ وَاِتَّبَعوا الهَوى

فَأَيتَمَ مِنهُم كَيفَ شاءَ وَأَرمَلا

فَأَيتَمَ مِنهُم كَيفَ شاءَ وَأَرمَلا

They impaired sound judgment and followed desire,

They followed sound judgment and pursued vain desire

which made orphans and widows among them however it pleased.

So among them many were orphaned and widowed as fate willed.

وَقَد حَدَثَت في الأَرضِ وَالأَمرُ واضِحٌ

وَقَد حَدَثَت في الأَرضِ وَالأَمرُ واضِحٌ

نَوائِبُ تَنهاكُم عَنِ الهَجرِ وَالقِلا

نَوائِبُ تَنهاكُم عَنِ الهَجرِ وَالقِلا

There have occurred upon the earth—and the matter is plain—

Events have occurred in the land and the matter is clear,

calamities that forbid you estrangement and hatred.

Occurrences caution you against isolation and estrangement.

أُذَكِّرُكُم ذِكرَ الصَديقِ صَديقَهُ

أُذَكِّرُكُم ذِكرَ الصَديقِ صَديقَهُ

وَأُكبِرُكُم عَن أَن أَلومَ وَأَعذُلا

وَأُكبِرُكُم عَن أَن أَلومَ وَأَعذُلا

I remind you as a friend reminds his friend,

I remind you as a friend reminds his friend

and esteem you too highly to blame or reproach you.

And restrain you from blaming and fault finding.

وَلا أَجرَحُ الأَعراضَ ضَنّاً بِوُدِّكُم

وَلا أَجرَحُ الأَعراضَ ضَنّاً بِوُدِّكُم

وَيَحسُنُ فيهِ أَن أَضَنَّ وَأَبخَلا

وَيَحسُنُ فيهِ أَن أَضَنَّ وَأَبخَلا

I do not wound your honor, out of care for your affection,

I do not slander honors out of love for you

which it is fitting to guard jealously and be miserly with.

It would be good to show such love and refrain.

فَلا تَرضَ يا عِزَّ المُلوكِ بِذُلِّهِم

فَلا تَرضَ يا عِزَّ المُلوكِ بِذُلِّهِم

وَأَن يَرِدوا مِن غَيرِ بَحرِكَ مَنهَلا

وَأَن يَرِدوا مِن غَيرِ بَحرِكَ مَنهَلا

Do not accept, O Izz al-Muluk, their abasement,

Do not O honor of kings accept their humiliation

nor their seeking a watering-place outside your sea.

And that they seek without your sea a spring.

وَصِنواكَ لا تَعصِ اِبنَ عَمِّكَ مِنهُما

وَصِنواكَ لا تَعصِ اِبنَ عَمِّكَ مِنهُما

وَكُن غَيرَ مَأمورٍ إِلى السِلمِ أَميَلا

وَكُن غَيرَ مَأمورٍ إِلى السِلمِ أَميَلا

As for your two kinsmen, do not defy your cousin among them,

Protect him, do not disobey the son of your uncle among them,

and, without being commanded, incline more toward peace.

Be unlike one ordered towards reconciliation.

فَما رَضِيا بِالبُعدِ عَنكَ زَهادَةً

فَما رَضِيا بِالبُعدِ عَنكَ زَهادَةً

وَلا اِبتَغَيا ما عَزَّ إِلّا تَذَلُّلا

وَلا اِبتَغَيا ما عَزَّ إِلّا تَذَلُّلا

Neither accepted distance from you out of indifference,

They did not choose distance from you out of piety

nor sought what was difficult except in humble submission.

Or seek what they cannot obtain except through humility.

وَهَل طَلَبا الإِنصافَ مِن غَيرِ أَهلِهِ

وَهَل طَلَبا الإِنصافَ مِن غَيرِ أَهلِهِ

وَهَل أَوعَرا في السَومِ إِلّا لِيُسهِلا

وَهَل أَوعَرا في السَومِ إِلّا لِيُسهِلا

Did they seek justice from any but its rightful people?

Would they request fairness from other than its people,

Did they make their bargaining hard except to make it easy?

Or make reconciliation difficult except to facilitate it?

وَإِن بانَ وَثّابٌ فَما ضَيفُ مُسلِمٍ

وَإِن بانَ وَثّابٌ فَما ضَيفُ مُسلِمٍ

كَمَن شَطَّ عَن بَحرٍ وَيَمَّمَ جَدوَلا

كَمَن شَطَّ عَن بَحرٍ وَيَمَّمَ جَدوَلا

Though Waththab has departed, a guest of Muslim is not

A resident is not like a guest who departed the sea

like one who leaves an ocean far behind and turns to a brook.

And headed towards a barren valley.

وَلَكِنَّ مَثوىً في السَماءِ نَبا بِهِ

وَلَكِنَّ مَثوىً في السَماءِ نَبا بِهِ

فَعُوِّضَ في أُفقٍ نَشا مِنهُ مَعقِلا

فَعُوِّضَ في أُفقٍ نَشا مِنهُ مَعقِلا

Rather, a dwelling in the sky proved inhospitable to him,

But news of an abode in heaven amazed him

so he received instead a refuge on a horizon from which he sprang.

So he settled for a corner having taken its fortress as refuge.

فَأَكرِم بِمَن جابَ المَهامِهَ مُرسَلاً

فَأَكرِم بِمَن جابَ المَهامِهَ مُرسَلاً

إِلَيكَ وَأَكرِم بِاِبنِ بَدرانَ مُرسِلا

إِلَيكَ وَأَكرِم بِاِبنِ بَدرانَ مُرسِلا

How noble is he who crossed the trackless deserts, sent

Honor the resolute messenger who came to you

to you—and how noble Ibn Badran, who sent him!

And honor Ibn Badran the sender.

سَليلُ مُلوكٍ أَقسَمَت مَأثُراتُهُم

سَليلُ مُلوكٍ أَقسَمَت مَأثُراتُهُم

بِأَن لا يَكونَ المَدحُ فيهِم تَقَوُّلا

بِأَن لا يَكونَ المَدحُ فيهِم تَقَوُّلا

A scion of kings whose glorious deeds have sworn

Scion of kings whose influences swore

that praise of them can never be fabrication.

That praising them should know no hyperbole.

تُماثِلُ أَنوارُ البُدورِ أَهِلَّةً

تُماثِلُ أَنوارُ البُدورِ أَهِلَّةً

وَتَعدو كَما تَعدو الضَراغِمُ أَشبُلا

وَتَعدو كَما تَعدو الضَراغِمُ أَشبُلا

As crescents, they rival the radiance of full moons,

Brilliant stars match when they rise

and as cubs they charge as mighty lions charge.

And race as the wolf cubs race.

وَكُلُّ مَنيعِ الجارِ وَالعِرضِ وَالحِمى

وَكُلُّ مَنيعِ الجارِ وَالعِرضِ وَالحِمى

يَفوقُ الوَرى فَضلاً وَيُربي تَفَضُّلا

يَفوقُ الوَرى فَضلاً وَيُربي تَفَضُّلا

Each has an inviolable neighbor, honor, and protected domain,

All dignified, honored and protected

surpassing mankind in merit and outdoing them in beneficence.

Are above all in merit and grow in nobility.

دَعاكَ إِلى ما يُكسِبُ الحَمدَ مُحسِناً

دَعاكَ إِلى ما يُكسِبُ الحَمدَ مُحسِناً

وَحَثَّ عَلى ما يَجمَعُ الشَملَ مُجمِلا

وَحَثَّ عَلى ما يَجمَعُ الشَملَ مُجمِلا

He kindly called you to what wins praise,

He summoned you to what earns praise for the benefactor

and graciously urged what brings people together.

And encouraged you to what unites and conciliates.

وَخَصَّكَ فيهِ بِالسُؤالِ كَرامَةً

وَخَصَّكَ فيهِ بِالسُؤالِ كَرامَةً

وَما إِن بَراهُ اللَهُ إِلّا لِيُسأَلا

وَما إِن بَراهُ اللَهُ إِلّا لِيُسأَلا

He singled you out for the request as an honor,

He singled you out to ask as an honor

though God created him only to be petitioned himself.

And God only created him to be asked.

بِدَولَتِكَ اِزدادَ الزَمانُ نَضارَةً

بِدَولَتِكَ اِزدادَ الزَمانُ نَضارَةً

فَلا بَرِحَت سِتراً عَلى الدَهرِ مُسبَلا

فَلا بَرِحَت سِتراً عَلى الدَهرِ مُسبَلا

Through your reign, time has grown more radiant;

The time gained vitality through your state

may it ever remain a veil drawn over time.

Never ceasing to cloak the days.

وَأَمَّنتَ مُرتاعاً وَأَرهَبتَ مُرهَباً

وَأَمَّنتَ مُرتاعاً وَأَرهَبتَ مُرهَباً

وَأَنصَفتَ مَظلوماً وَأَغنَيتَ مُرمِلا

وَأَنصَفتَ مَظلوماً وَأَغنَيتَ مُرمِلا

You reassured the frightened and frightened the fearsome,

You secured a place of refuge, intimidated the intimidator,

gave justice to the wronged and enriched the destitute.

Judged fairly between the wronged, and enriched the destitute.

فَضائِلُ أَعلاها أَبوها فَلَم يَدَع

فَضائِلُ أَعلاها أَبوها فَلَم يَدَع

لِذي شَرَفٍ فيها وَإِن عَزَّ مَدخَلا

لِذي شَرَفٍ فيها وَإِن عَزَّ مَدخَلا

Virtues whose father raised them high, leaving

Supreme merits, the greatest of which their father possesses

no opening in them for any noble man, however mighty.

So none of noble rank found its access difficult.

وَأَعرَبَ عَن إِجمالِهِ بِجَمالِهِ

وَأَعرَبَ عَن إِجمالِهِ بِجَمالِهِ

فَصَدَّقَ تَأميلاً وَراقَ تَأَمُّلا

فَصَدَّقَ تَأميلاً وَراقَ تَأَمُّلا

His beauty declared his beneficence,

He expressed its essence by his grace

so he fulfilled hopes and delighted contemplation.

Embodying refinement and pleasing the beholder.

لَكَ العَزمُ لا يَنبو إِذا كَلَّتِ الظُبى

لَكَ العَزمُ لا يَنبو إِذا كَلَّتِ الظُبى

تُضافِرُهُ البيضُ الَّتي لَن تُفَلَّلا

تُضافِرُهُ البيضُ الَّتي لَن تُفَلَّلا

Yours is resolve that never recoils when sword-edges grow dull,

You possess determination when the horses frolic

aided by bright blades that will never be notched.

Supported by the steeds that will never weaken.

تُرَوِّعُ في أَغمادِها قَبلَ سَلِّها

تُرَوِّعُ في أَغمادِها قَبلَ سَلِّها

وَمِن بَعدِهِ تَفري المَفارِقَ وَالطُلى

وَمِن بَعدِهِ تَفري المَفارِقَ وَالطُلى

They terrify in their scabbards before being drawn,

They terrify in their sheaths before they are unleashed

and afterward cleave crowns and throats.

Then later, the departed and ruins flee.

وَخَطِّيَّةٌ ما زالَ غَضّاً حَديثُها

وَخَطِّيَّةٌ ما زالَ غَضّاً حَديثُها

إِذا شَهِدَت حَرباً وَإِن كُنَّ ذُبَّلا

إِذا شَهِدَت حَرباً وَإِن كُنَّ ذُبَّلا

And Khatti spears, whose story is ever fresh

Swords have edges whose sharpness the years

when they witness battle, though their shafts are dry,

Have not dulled even if they witnessed wars and aged.

بِأَيدٍ لَها أَيدٌ تُبَرِّحُ بِالعِدى

بِأَيدٍ لَها أَيدٌ تُبَرِّحُ بِالعِدى

إِذا صارَتِ الأَيدي مِنَ الرُعبِ أَرجُلا

إِذا صارَتِ الأَيدي مِنَ الرُعبِ أَرجُلا

in hands possessed of strength, dealing harshly with foes,

With hands, they have hands that strike the enemy

when hands, from terror, turn into feet.

When hands turn to feet out of fear.

مِنَ القَومِ حَلّوا بِالقُصورِ فَشَيَّدوا

مِنَ القَومِ حَلّوا بِالقُصورِ فَشَيَّدوا

عُلاً أَسَّسوها إِذ هُمُ ساكِنو الفَلا

عُلاً أَسَّسوها إِذ هُمُ ساكِنو الفَلا

From a people who settled in palaces and built up

Some people camped at palaces and built

heights they had founded while dwelling in the wilderness.

Tall structures when the nomads dwell in dunes.

فَدانوا بِدينِ الناسِ وَاِتَّخَذوا النَدى

فَدانوا بِدينِ الناسِ وَاِتَّخَذوا النَدى

كِتاباً بِتَصديقِ الأَمانِيِّ أُنزِلا

كِتاباً بِتَصديقِ الأَمانِيِّ أُنزِلا

They followed the people's faith and took generosity

They professed the religion of the people and took pleasure

as a scripture revealed to fulfill hopes.

As a scripture that endorses wishes revealed.

فَمِن نِعَمٍ مَوهوبَةٍ لِعُفاتِهِم

فَمِن نِعَمٍ مَوهوبَةٍ لِعُفاتِهِم

وَمِن نَعَمٍ مَأكولَةٍ وَهيَ في الكَلا

وَمِن نَعَمٍ مَأكولَةٍ وَهيَ في الكَلا

There are bounties bestowed upon their petitioners,

So blessings granted due to their chastity

and herds consumed while still at pasture.

And blessings consumed are among what they eat and wear.

تَرُدُّ الرَدى عَنها الصَوارِمُ وَالقَنا

تَرُدُّ الرَدى عَنها الصَوارِمُ وَالقَنا

وَتودي بِها إِن هَبَّتِ الريحُ شَمأَلا

وَتودي بِها إِن هَبَّتِ الريحُ شَمأَلا

Keen swords and spears ward off death from those herds,

Swords and spears deflect adversity from them

yet slaughter them when the wind blows from the north.

And misfortune carries them when gales blow.

ذَوُو النارِ تُغشى لِلإِضاءَةِ وَالقِرى

ذَوُو النارِ تُغشى لِلإِضاءَةِ وَالقِرى

وَتَثني العِدى عَنها لَظىً لَيسَ تُصطَلا

وَتَثني العِدى عَنها لَظىً لَيسَ تُصطَلا

Keepers of a fire sought for light and hospitality,

People of fire are covered to illuminate

whose flames repel foes—a blaze at which none can warm themselves.

While enemies curve away from them burning hot unapproachable.

صَفَوا وَاِصطَفَوا خَيرَ الخُؤولَةِ نَخوَةً

صَفَوا وَاِصطَفَوا خَيرَ الخُؤولَةِ نَخوَةً

فَما وَلَدوا إِلّا مَخوفاً مُؤَمَّلا

فَما وَلَدوا إِلّا مَخوفاً مُؤَمَّلا

Pure of stock, they chose the finest maternal kin for nobility,

They chose the elite young women in fertility

and begot none but men both feared and looked to with hope.

So they did not bear except the bold and destined.

وَيَفضُلُ تاليكُم عَلى مَن يَؤُمُّهُ

وَيَفضُلُ تاليكُم عَلى مَن يَؤُمُّهُ

فَمَن جاءَ مِنكُم آخِراً عُدَّ أَوَّلا

فَمَن جاءَ مِنكُم آخِراً عُدَّ أَوَّلا

The next of you surpasses whoever precedes him,

Your progeny is superior to those it leads

so whoever of you comes last is counted first.

So the last of you counts as the first.

لِيَهنِكَ عيدٌ أَنتَ عِصمَهُ أَهلِهِ

لِيَهنِكَ عيدٌ أَنتَ عِصمَهُ أَهلِهِ

فَلا خابَ مِنكُم مَن دَعا وَتَبَهَّلا

فَلا خابَ مِنكُم مَن دَعا وَتَبَهَّلا

May the feast delight you, its people's safeguard;

A feast you protected so none of you is deprived,

may no one who petitions and prays be disappointed in you.

Disappointed is the one who called you and wavered.

يُقَصِّرُ قَولي دونَ ما أَنتَ فاعِلٌ

يُقَصِّرُ قَولي دونَ ما أَنتَ فاعِلٌ

وَإِن كُنتَ قَد أوتيتَ قَولاً وَمِقوَلا

وَإِن كُنتَ قَد أوتيتَ قَولاً وَمِقوَلا

My words fall short of what you do,

My words fall short of what you have done

though you have been given eloquence and an eloquent tongue.

Though you were given eloquence and speech.

فَخُذ جُملَةً مِن وَصفِ مَدحِكَ سُطِّرَت

فَخُذ جُملَةً مِن وَصفِ مَدحِكَ سُطِّرَت

وَلا تُلزِمَنّي مُعيِياً أَن أُفَصِّلا

وَلا تُلزِمَنّي مُعيِياً أَن أُفَصِّلا

So take a summary of your praise, set down in writing,

Take from this prose eulogy composed for you

and do not compel me, unequal to the task, to detail it all.

And do not obligate me when I weary to elaborate.

وَما جِئتُ مَحموداً وَنَصراً بِمِثلِها

وَما جِئتُ مَحموداً وَنَصراً بِمِثلِها

لَعَمرُكَ إِلّا فَضَّلاها وَأَفضَلا

لَعَمرُكَ إِلّا فَضَّلاها وَأَفضَلا

Never did I bring Mahmud and Nasr verses like these

I have not come praised and victorious with the like

but, by your life, they valued them and gave generously.

By your life except due to their preference and bounty.

وَلَو تَرَكا لي بُغيَةً أَستَزيدُها

وَلَو تَرَكا لي بُغيَةً أَستَزيدُها

لَكُنتَ بِها دونَ الوَرى مُتَكَفِّلا

لَكُنتَ بِها دونَ الوَرى مُتَكَفِّلا

Had they left me any wish for which to ask more,

If they had left aggression for me to increase

you alone, of all mankind, would have undertaken it.

I would have with it guaranteed less than them.

وَتِلكَ العَطايا مِن تُراثِكَ حُزتُها

وَتِلكَ العَطايا مِن تُراثِكَ حُزتُها

وَما نَقَصَت عَن بُغيَتي فَتُكَمِّلا

وَما نَقَصَت عَن بُغيَتي فَتُكَمِّلا

Those gifts I gained from your inheritance,

Those gifts are from your inheritance I took

and they lacked nothing of my desire for you to supply.

Without decreasing from what I sought they supplement.

وَلا الظُلمُ مِن شَأني فَأَطلُبَ آجِلاً

وَلا الظُلمُ مِن شَأني فَأَطلُبَ آجِلاً

وَقَد نِلتُ أَقصى ما رَجَوتُ مُعَجَّلا

وَقَد نِلتُ أَقصى ما رَجَوتُ مُعَجَّلا

Nor is injustice my way, that I should ask for a later gift,

Oppression is not my practice that I ask for delay

when I have already received the utmost of my hopes in advance.

When I have attained the utmost of what I hoped immediately.

مَواهِبُ يَسبِقنَ السُؤالَ سَجِيَّةً

مَواهِبُ يَسبِقنَ السُؤالَ سَجِيَّةً

وَضَنّاً بِراجيهِنَّ أَن يَتَوَسَّلا

وَضَنّاً بِراجيهِنَّ أَن يَتَوَسَّلا

Gifts that naturally come before the asking,

Gifts precede my request spontaneously

and spare their hopeful seeker the need to entreat.

And refrain from asking the seeker to plead.

تَخالَفَ أَهلُ الأَرضِ فِيَّ وَفيهِما

تَخالَفَ أَهلُ الأَرضِ فِيَّ وَفيهِما

وَقَد أَسرَفا فيما أَفادا وَخَوَّلا

وَقَد أَسرَفا فيما أَفادا وَخَوَّلا

The people of the earth disagreed about me and those two,

People differed regarding me and them,

who had lavished so much in the wealth and gifts they bestowed.

Though they exceeded in benefaction and provision.

فَقالَ أُناسٌ شاعِرُ العَصرِ نالَ مِن

فَقالَ أُناسٌ شاعِرُ العَصرِ نالَ مِن

أَشَفِّ المُلوكِ فَوقَ ما كانَ أَمَّلا

أَشَفِّ المُلوكِ فَوقَ ما كانَ أَمَّلا

Some said the poet of the age had obtained from

Some said the poet of the time attained from

the most eminent kings more than he had hoped.

The sweetest kings beyond what he wished.

وَقالَ أُناسٌ إِنَّها شَنُّ غارَةٍ

وَقالَ أُناسٌ إِنَّها شَنُّ غارَةٍ

وَإِنّي إِلى مَدحَيهِما قُدتُ جَحفَلا

وَإِنّي إِلى مَدحَيهِما قُدتُ جَحفَلا

Others said it was the launching of a raid,

Others said they are the harm of a raid

and that I had led a great host to praise them both.

While I was led to praise them riding an unruly camel.

وَما قُدتُ إِلّا شُرَّداً عَزُّ مَرُّها

وَما قُدتُ إِلّا شُرَّداً عَزُّ مَرُّها

عَلى بَلَدٍ لَم تَتَّخِذ فيهِ مَنزِلا

عَلى بَلَدٍ لَم تَتَّخِذ فيهِ مَنزِلا

I led only far-roaming verses: rare is their passage

I was led unable except wandering far

through a land where they have not made a home.

From a land I did not take as residence.

تُحَلّى بِها الأَملاكُ في كُلِّ مَشهَدٍ

تُحَلّى بِها الأَملاكُ في كُلِّ مَشهَدٍ

وَإِن نُظِمَت فيكُم فَأَنتُم لَها حُلا

وَإِن نُظِمَت فيكُم فَأَنتُم لَها حُلا

Kings are adorned by them at every gathering,

Adorned by them in every occasion

yet when they are strung in your praise, you are their jewels.

And if composed on you, you are its adornment.

نَهَتها عُلاكُم أَن تَبَدَّلَ غَيرَكُم

نَهَتها عُلاكُم أَن تَبَدَّلَ غَيرَكُم

وَآمَنَها إِنعامُكُم أَن تَبَذَّلا

وَآمَنَها إِنعامُكُم أَن تَبَذَّلا

Your greatness forbade them to choose anyone else,

Your supremacy prevents them changing for other than you

and your bounty kept them safe from being debased.

And your gifts secure it from being ineffective.

سَأُثني بِما أَولاهُ أَبناءُ صالِحٍ

سَأُثني بِما أَولاهُ أَبناءُ صالِحٍ

بِجَهدي فَأَمّا أَن أُكافِيَهُم فَلا

بِجَهدي فَأَمّا أَن أُكافِيَهُم فَلا

I shall praise what the sons of Salih bestowed,

I will praise with what the righteous sons

with all my strength; but repay them—never.

Gave me with my capacity yet repaying is impossible.