عَوِّضونا مِنَ السُهادِ الرُقادا

عَوِّضونا مِنَ السُهادِ الرُقادا

فَلَعَلَّ الخَيالَ أَن يَعتادا

فَلَعَلَّ الخَيالَ أَن يَعتادا

Give us sleep in place of sleeplessness,

Replace our wakefulness with sleep, perhaps imagination may grow accustomed

so perhaps your dream-image may visit again.

The intensity of passion brought about the sickness of endurance, and the distance of the visit is nearer than wakefulness

صِحَّةُ الشَوقِ أَحدَثَت عِلَّةَ الصَب

صِحَّةُ الشَوقِ أَحدَثَت عِلَّةَ الصَب

رِ وَبُعدُ المَزارِ أَدنى السُهادا

رِ وَبُعدُ المَزارِ أَدنى السُهادا

The vigor of longing has sickened patience,

How many reproachers blamed me for trying to reform, so the blame was upon me for the corruption

and your distant dwelling has brought sleeplessness near.

The more his censure increased, the more my love increased, and we both went to extremes regarding him

كَم عَذولٍ عَلَيكُمُ رامَ إِصلا

كَم عَذولٍ عَلَيكُمُ رامَ إِصلا

حي فَكانَ المَلامُ لي إِفسادا

حي فَكانَ المَلامُ لي إِفسادا

Many a reprover, blaming my love for you, sought to reform

Then you accompanied him when he came to me complaining, so why did you accompany the reproachers

me, but his reproach only ruined me.

How can he listen to blame among you when he sees aberration in your love as guidance

كُلَّما زادَ عَذلُهُ زادَ وَجدي

كُلَّما زادَ عَذلُهُ زادَ وَجدي

وَكِلانا في شَأنِهِ قَد تَمادى

وَكِلانا في شَأنِهِ قَد تَمادى

Whenever his reproach increased, my passion increased,

For a heart whose side you have roasted from intense love, and a body whose side you have covered in wounds

and each of us persisted in his course.

After living a youth which he related as commendable but which has passed without returning

ثُمَّ رافَقتُموهُ إِذ جاءَ يَلحا

ثُمَّ رافَقتُموهُ إِذ جاءَ يَلحا

ني فَأَلّا رافَقتُمُ العُوّادا

ني فَأَلّا رافَقتُمُ العُوّادا

Then you accompanied him when he came to rebuke

You drew away from me with wealth so I did not denounce when the abode drew far away

me; why did you not accompany my sickbed visitors?

And behind the protective sanctuary are valleys, valley after valley, preventing the predator from hunting its prey

كَيفَ يُصغي إِلى المَلامَةَ فيكُم

كَيفَ يُصغي إِلى المَلامَةَ فيكُم

مَن يَرى الغَيَّ في هَواكُم رَشادا

مَن يَرى الغَيَّ في هَواكُم رَشادا

How can he heed reproaches for loving you,

And an aloof one who pays no heed to the infatuated, nor glances towards the longing

who sees straying in your love as right guidance?

She never knew weeping, and how many eyes she made weep, how many hearts she wore out

مَن لِقَلبٍ أَصلَيتُموهُ لَظى الجَم

مَن لِقَلبٍ أَصلَيتُموهُ لَظى الجَم

رِ وَجَنبٍ أَفرَشتُموهُ القَتادا

رِ وَجَنبٍ أَفرَشتُموهُ القَتادا

Who will succor a heart you made burn in glowing embers,

Every beauty who does not bestow favors with kindness does not know how to bestow roses

and a side you laid upon thornbushes,

And I see passion and those of eighty years forbid it in an opinion I have abandoned seeking correctness

بَعدَ عَيشٍ حَكى الشَبابَ بَلَونا

بَعدَ عَيشٍ حَكى الشَبابَ بَلَونا

هُ حَميداً وَقَد مَضى ما عادا

هُ حَميداً وَقَد مَضى ما عادا

after a life that mirrored youth, which we found

Misfortunes befell me which refute the truth and give to the undeserving their hopes

praiseworthy—now gone, never to return?

And false friends who harbor meanness toward me secretly while displaying affection openly

وَنَأَيتُم مَعَ الدُنُوِّ فَما أَن

وَنَأَيتُم مَعَ الدُنُوِّ فَما أَن

كَرتُ لَمّا نَأى المَحَلُّ البِعادا

كَرتُ لَمّا نَأى المَحَلُّ البِعادا

You kept aloof even when near; I did not find it strange

They denounced virtues which they had forbidden with spark that does not fail to kindle

to be far apart when your dwelling grew remote.

And of old how many ignorant ones tried to break my rope, thereby increasing my harvest

وَوَراءَ الحِمى بَوادٍ بِوادٍ

وَوَراءَ الحِمى بَوادٍ بِوادٍ

تَمنَعُ السُمرُ سِربَهُ أَن يُصادا

تَمنَعُ السُمرُ سِربَهُ أَن يُصادا

Beyond the sanctuary are nomad women in a valley

I do not blame them - and does the fault of the wind subside if it does not shake the pegs?

whose herd the tawny spears protect from capture.

Who is barred by excuses from the site of honor, I will never be barred from its spring

وَمَهىً ما لَها اِعتِناءٌ بِمَن ها

وَمَهىً ما لَها اِعتِناءٌ بِمَن ها

مَ وَلا لَفتَةٌ إِلى مَن فادا

مَ وَلا لَفتَةٌ إِلى مَن فادا

And oryx-does who care nothing for one love-distraught,

I protected myself from joining a people consumed by greed to the utmost extent they desired

nor turn a glance toward one who has perished.

And gifts of a glorious King turned me away from being shaken or asked for more

ما عَرَفنَ البُكارَ يَوماً وَكَم أَب

ما عَرَفنَ البُكارَ يَوماً وَكَم أَب

كَينَ عَيناً وَكَم تَبَلنَ فُؤادا

كَينَ عَيناً وَكَم تَبَلنَ فُؤادا

They have never known weeping, yet how often they have made

Fate persists doing whatever it wills, and was not seen destroying what it built

eyes weep, and how many hearts they have ravaged!

Promising wealth so it does not betray its promise, and pardons so it breaks its appointment

كُلُّ حَسناءَ لا تَجودُ بِإِحسا

كُلُّ حَسناءَ لا تَجودُ بِإِحسا

نٍ وَرودٍ لا تُحسِنُ الإِروادا

نٍ وَرودٍ لا تُحسِنُ الإِروادا

Every beauty withholds kindness,

Far off is the goal of what the enemies said - none attains perfection unless increasing

and every tender maiden knows no tenderness.

He surpassed the richest ones of his time, so rightly he settled at the highest abodes while they settled the lowlands

وَأَرى العِشقَ وَالثَمانونَ تَنهى

وَأَرى العِشقَ وَالثَمانونَ تَنهى

عَنهُ رَأياً فارَقتُ فيهِ السَدادا

عَنهُ رَأياً فارَقتُ فيهِ السَدادا

I see my loving, though eighty years forbid

They were humble, he was chosen; they were mighty, and they were lowly

it, as a choice in which I abandoned sound judgment.

They loved and he transcended; they flagged and he was lofty; they hoarded and he gave generously

وَعَرَتني نَوائِبٌ تُبطِلُ الحَق

وَعَرَتني نَوائِبٌ تُبطِلُ الحَق

قَ وَتُعطي غَيرَ المُحِقِّ المُرادا

قَ وَتُعطي غَيرَ المُحِقِّ المُرادا

Calamities have beset me that nullify what is right

Sublimities that encompassed Rabiah with glory and Ka'b and singled out Ashadd

and grant the undeserving their desire.

And feats which hopes did not fall short of except to frustrate the envious

وَأَخِلّاءَ يُضمِرونَ لِيَ الشَح

وَأَخِلّاءَ يُضمِرونَ لِيَ الشَح

ناءَ وَدءاً وَيُظهِرونَ وِدادا

ناءَ وَدءاً وَيُظهِرونَ وِدادا

And friends harbor hatred for me,

It closed its regions to the people, inhabited by its settlers, and its cheeks were not covered in blackness

malice within, while showing affection.

O son of those who subjugated misfortunes with valor and time gave them leadership

قَدَحوا في فَضائِلٍ حُرِموها

قَدَحوا في فَضائِلٍ حُرِموها

بِزِنادٍ لا تَعدَمُ الإِصلادا

بِزِنادٍ لا تَعدَمُ الإِصلادا

They struck at virtues they were denied

Among kings owning the imperial cities, and kings who pitched tents in Baghdad

with fire-flints unfailingly sparkless.

A people - if they incline to generosity and hospitality they sacrifice the generous and noble

وَقَديماً كَمِ اِبتَغى نَقضَ حَبلي

وَقَديماً كَمِ اِبتَغى نَقضَ حَبلي

جاهِلٌ بي فَزادَهُ إِحصادا

جاهِلٌ بي فَزادَهُ إِحصادا

How often, long ago, someone sought to unravel my cord,

And refuse that any striver attain glory which was not attained through them

ignorant of me, and only twisted it tighter.

So you have outshone this world in ancestry, and outshone the ancestors and forefathers

لا مَلامٌ لَهُم وَهَل ليمَتِ الري

لا مَلامٌ لَهُم وَهَل ليمَتِ الري

حُ إِذا لَم تُزَعزِعِ الأَطوادا

حُ إِذا لَم تُزَعزِعِ الأَطوادا

No blame on them! Is the wind blamed

You attained length, ambition, position, heights and succor and nobility

when it cannot shake the mountains?

And refused what the mourning white flags refused forever clothing the women in mourning

مَن يُذَد بِالتَمويهِ عَن مَورِدِ العِز

مَن يُذَد بِالتَمويهِ عَن مَورِدِ العِز

زِ فَإِنّي عَن وِردِهِ لَن أُذادا

زِ فَإِنّي عَن وِردِهِ لَن أُذادا

Whoever may be driven by deceit from honor's watering-place,

Refined ones - if your displeasure provoked them they sheathed the sword blades

I shall never be driven from drinking there.

If they spoke of who lived alongside him they would mention Tubba and not forget Aad

صُنتُ نَفسي عَنِ اللَحاقِ بِقَومٍ

صُنتُ نَفسي عَنِ اللَحاقِ بِقَومٍ

بَلَغَ الحِرصُ فيهِمُ ما أَرادا

بَلَغَ الحِرصُ فيهِمُ ما أَرادا

I kept myself from joining people

And war mares with neighing that outpaces conjecture when others compete with steeds

in whom greed achieved all it desired.

They repel attacks while they are wild casting might, and they charge with neighing squadrons

وَزَوَتني عَنهُ مَواهِبُ مَلكٍ

وَزَوَتني عَنهُ مَواهِبُ مَلكٍ

جَلَّ عَن أَن يُهَزَّ أَو يُستَزادا

جَلَّ عَن أَن يُهَزَّ أَو يُستَزادا

The gifts of a king kept me clear of it,

If they intend far off it becomes near or if they enter the seas it turns solid

one too great to need urging or requests for more.

They never ceased expanding the Caliphate by victory, striving, and the polytheists, with jihad

يَفعَلُ الدَهرُ جاهِداً كُلَّ ماشا

يَفعَلُ الدَهرُ جاهِداً كُلَّ ماشا

ءَ وَلَم يُلفَ هادِماً ما شادا

ءَ وَلَم يُلفَ هادِماً ما شادا

Time strives and does whatever it wishes,

Risings that weakened the power of Rome’s King, so the ground settled with them or almost

yet has never been found destroying what he built.

And his Great City’s defenders came down, who feel no pain from flogging

واعِدٌ بِالغِنى فَلا يُخلِفُ الوَع

واعِدٌ بِالغِنى فَلا يُخلِفُ الوَع

دَ وَيَعفو فَيُخلِفُ الإيعادا

دَ وَيَعفو فَيُخلِفُ الإيعادا

He promises wealth and never breaks his promise,

They sacrifice themselves obeying God, hoping for reward, and remembering the return

and pardons, thus breaking his threat.

Whoever seeks your glory wholeheartedly, will attain it, and whoever you sheltered will never be touched

وَبَعيدُ المَرامِ ما قالَتِ الأَع

وَبَعيدُ المَرامِ ما قالَتِ الأَع

داءُ حازَ الكَمالَ إِلّا وَزادا

داءُ حازَ الكَمالَ إِلّا وَزادا

Beyond all reach: no sooner do his enemies say,

The Romans sheathed protecting it with the white swords, and they did not set out to the called trenches

'He has attained perfection,' than he surpasses it.

And if its kindling fire sleeps and turns to ashes, the ashes deserve to shift and return

فاتَ أَملاكَ عَصرِهِ فَبِحَقٍّ

فاتَ أَملاكَ عَصرِهِ فَبِحَقٍّ

حَلَّ أَعلى الرُبى وَحَلّوا الوِهادا

حَلَّ أَعلى الرُبى وَحَلّوا الوِهادا

He has outstripped the kings of his age; rightly

Many intended affairs, their leader does not plot, and birthed affairs their newborn does not call for

he occupies the highest hills, while they inhabit the lowlands.

They came from resolves of old, their arrows do not exceed equilibrium

خَنَعوا وَاِنتَخى وَعَزَّ وَذَلّوا

خَنَعوا وَاِنتَخى وَعَزَّ وَذَلّوا

وَهَوَوا وَاِعتَلى وَضَنّوا وَجادا

وَهَوَوا وَاِعتَلى وَضَنّوا وَجادا

They submitted; he stood proud. He grew mighty; they were humbled.

Truthful ones as if between their predestined deaths and them is an appointed time

They fell; he rose. They withheld; he gave.

And the remedy for the disease which crept into the minds frightening them and ripping the livers

فَعَلاتٌ عَمَّت رَبيعَةَ بِالفَخ

فَعَلاتٌ عَمَّت رَبيعَةَ بِالفَخ

رِ وَكَعباً وَخَصَّتِ الشَدّادا

رِ وَكَعباً وَخَصَّتِ الشَدّادا

Deeds that spread glory throughout Rabiʿa

A tribute which if you accept ensures safety of the souls from leaving the bodies

and Kaʿb, with special glory for al-Shaddad.

Or going out from it for now is the time for travel after procrastination to retrieve it

وَمَعالٍ ما قَصَّرَت دونَها الآ

وَمَعالٍ ما قَصَّرَت دونَها الآ

مالُ إِلّا لِتَعذِرَ الحُسادا

مالُ إِلّا لِتَعذِرَ الحُسادا

And lofty honors, short of which hopes fall

How many a champion wanted to contain it finding it champion, Most High, difficult to attain

only to give the envious an excuse.

And God refused to share it with another, honoring its exclusivity and inimitability

سدَّ أَقطارَها عَلى الناسِ مَن سا

سدَّ أَقطارَها عَلى الناسِ مَن سا

دَ وَلَم تُكسَ عارِضاهُ سَوادا

دَ وَلَم تُكسَ عارِضاهُ سَوادا

He closed their every approach to others, a lord

Kings who abandoned the honor of supremacy have coerced it, and they deemed the heights lowly

before his cheeks were clothed in the black of a beard.

O sons of Salih through whom the times improved, and it used to not lack corruption

يا بنَ مَن ذَلّلوا النَوائِبَ بِالقَه

يا بنَ مَن ذَلّلوا النَوائِبَ بِالقَه

رِ وَأَعطاهُمُ الزَمانُ القيادا

رِ وَأَعطاهُمُ الزَمانُ القيادا

O son of those who subdued calamities by force,

And for a time I never ceased to ask about you, so seeing you sufficed me the proof

to whom Time gave the reins,

And I saw the seas had sufficed to prevent the fleets from sending to it dispatchers

مِن مُلوكٍ لَها العَواصِمُ دارٌ

مِن مُلوكٍ لَها العَواصِمُ دارٌ

وَمُلوكٍ تَقَيَّلوا بَغدادا

وَمُلوكٍ تَقَيَّلوا بَغدادا

kings whose home was al-ʿAwasim,

And you coveted generous deeds and were found to be ascetics while I see others ascetics

and kings who took their noonday rest in Baghdad.

Many an honorable one attained immortality taking praise as provision and supplies

عُصَبٌ إِن جَرَوا إِلى الجودِ وَالإِق

عُصَبٌ إِن جَرَوا إِلى الجودِ وَالإِق

دامِ بَذّوا الأَجوادَ وَالأَنجادا

دامِ بَذّوا الأَجوادَ وَالأَنجادا

Bands who, when racing in generosity and courage,

With continuous giving of millions and thousands and found in those you see, individuals

outstripped the generous and the valiant.

While your equal, if he takes on vain things, and they be few, exaggerates their worth

وَأَبوا أَن يَفوزَ ساعٍ بِمَجدٍ

وَأَبوا أَن يَفوزَ ساعٍ بِمَجدٍ

لَم يَكُن مِن خِلالِهِم مُستَفادا

لَم يَكُن مِن خِلالِهِم مُستَفادا

They would allow no seeker to win glory

Mankind feels at peace in the shade of your neighborhood you have expanded and prolonged

unless it was drawn from their virtues.

And your days of rule have succeeded continuously, so we scarcely recognize celebrations

فُقتَ هَذا الورى جُدوداً وَآبا

فُقتَ هَذا الورى جُدوداً وَآبا

ءً وَفُقتَ اللآباءَ وَالأَجدادا

ءً وَفُقتَ اللآباءَ وَالأَجدادا

You surpassed these mortals in grandfathers and fathers,

And you united divergent opinions afterward with a reasonable view reconciling opposites

and surpassed the fathers and grandfathers themselves.

And by the judgment of opinions alone, 'Amr was given Egypt and the son of Hind gained increase

طُلتَ طَولاً وَهِمَّةً وَمَحَلّاً

طُلتَ طَولاً وَهِمَّةً وَمَحَلّاً

وَمِحالاً وَنَجدَةً وَنِجادا

وَمِحالاً وَنَجدَةً وَنِجادا

You excelled in bounty, aspiration, and station,

You have multiplied the kings in grace, ennoblement, and justice so enumerate them as sons

in might, valor, and length of sword-belt.

And recite good tidings of every courageous, secure tribe fearing to aggress or devour

وأَبت ما أَبَيتَ بيضٌ حِدادٌ

وأَبت ما أَبَيتَ بيضٌ حِدادٌ

أَبداً تُلبِسُ النِساءَ حِدادا

أَبداً تُلبِسُ النِساءَ حِدادا

Sharp white swords refuse whatever you refuse,

That you may see in their presence lions, and in their grandchildren descendants lions

forever clothing women in mourning.

Live well-composed whom destitution has made forget misery utterly and live well-watered whom you have loosened from the shackles

مُرهَفاتٌ إِن بَزَّها سُخطُكَ الأَغ

مُرهَفاتٌ إِن بَزَّها سُخطُكَ الأَغ

مادَ عيضَت مِنَ الطُلى أَغمادا

مادَ عيضَت مِنَ الطُلى أَغمادا

Keen-edged: when your wrath strips them of

And let your commanding authority gain penetration and let your enemies' plots gain futility

their sheaths, they are given necks as sheaths instead.

You guarded me from shedding the water of my face (tears), and you have attained glory never to be attained

لَو أَبانَت عَن ذِكرِمَن عاصَرَتهُ

لَو أَبانَت عَن ذِكرِمَن عاصَرَتهُ

ذَكَرَت تُبَّعاً وَلَم تَنسَ عادا

ذَكَرَت تُبَّعاً وَلَم تَنسَ عادا

If they could speak of those whose times they shared,

So I will maintain praise of you as long as words can last, until the return perpetually

they would mention Tubbaʿ and not forget ʿAd.

With rhymes that will not leave your glorious praise, intending the horizons

وَعِتاقٌ مُقوَرَّةٌ تَسبِقُ الأَو

وَعِتاقٌ مُقوَرَّةٌ تَسبِقُ الأَو

هامَ إِذ غَيرُها يُباري الجِيادا

هامَ إِذ غَيرُها يُباري الجِيادا

And noble, lean-flanked steeds outstrip thought,

Protected by the one who poured his treasure to her trousseau and chosen her best selection

while others merely race fine horses.

From an ignorant one counting her among his enemies and a foe who flees upon hearing her

تَرِدُ الرَوعَ وَهيَ دُهمٌ مِنَ النَق

تَرِدُ الرَوعَ وَهيَ دُهمٌ مِنَ النَق

عِ وَيَصدُرنَ بِالنَجيعِ وِرادا

عِ وَيَصدُرنَ بِالنَجيعِ وِرادا

They enter terror blackened by dust,

Ugly that I claim virtue regarding her after she has spoken your brilliance to the inanimate

and emerge ruddy with fresh blood.

So I have translated the Arabic poem into an English poem while preserving the meanings and flow. Let me know if you need anything else!

إِن أَرَدنَ البَعيدَ كانَ قَريباً

إِن أَرَدنَ البَعيدَ كانَ قَريباً

أَو وَرَدنَ البِحارَ صارَت ثِمادا

أَو وَرَدنَ البِحارَ صارَت ثِمادا

If they seek the distant, it becomes near;

if they water at seas, those seas become scant pools.

لَم تَزَل توسِعُ الخِلافَةَ بِالنُص

لَم تَزَل توسِعُ الخِلافَةَ بِالنُص

حِ اِجتِهاداً وَالمُشرِكينَ جِهادا

حِ اِجتِهاداً وَالمُشرِكينَ جِهادا

You have ever served the caliphate with sincere counsel

and diligent effort, and fought the polytheists in holy war.

نَهَضاتٌ أَوهَت قوى مَلِكِ الرو

نَهَضاتٌ أَوهَت قوى مَلِكِ الرو

مِ فَحَلَّ الثَرى بِها أَو كادا

مِ فَحَلَّ الثَرى بِها أَو كادا

Campaigns that sapped the strength of the Byzantine king

laid him in the earth—or nearly did.

وَلَقَد نازَلَت مَدينَتُهُ العُظ

وَلَقَد نازَلَت مَدينَتُهُ العُظ

مى حُماةٌ لا يَألَمونَ الجِلادا

مى حُماةٌ لا يَألَمونَ الجِلادا

His greatest city was indeed besieged

by champions who feel no pain in combat.

يَبذُلونَ النُفوسَ في طاعَةِ اللَ

يَبذُلونَ النُفوسَ في طاعَةِ اللَ

هِ اِحِتساباً وَيَذكُرونَ المَعادا

هِ اِحِتساباً وَيَذكُرونَ المَعادا

They give their lives in obedience to God,

seeking His reward and remembering the final Return.

مَن يُرِد مَطلَباً بِجَدِّكَ لا يُك

مَن يُرِد مَطلَباً بِجَدِّكَ لا يُك

دي وَمَن كُنتَ رِدءَهُ لَن يُكادا

دي وَمَن كُنتَ رِدءَهُ لَن يُكادا

Whoever seeks a goal with your good fortune never fails,

and whoever has you as his support will not be ensnared.

أَغمَدَ الرومُ عَن حِمايَتِها البي

أَغمَدَ الرومُ عَن حِمايَتِها البي

ضَ وَلَم يَشرَعوا القَنا المُنآدا

ضَ وَلَم يَشرَعوا القَنا المُنآدا

The Byzantines withdrew their white swords from its defense

and did not level their supple lances.

وَإِذا النارُ نامَ موقِدُها عَن

وَإِذا النارُ نامَ موقِدُها عَن

ها فَأَجدِر بِأَن تَحولَ رَمادا

ها فَأَجدِر بِأَن تَحولَ رَمادا

When a fire's kindler falls asleep, neglecting

it, how likely it is to turn to ash!

رُبَّ أَمرٍ مُريدُهُ لا يُناوى

رُبَّ أَمرٍ مُريدُهُ لا يُناوى

جَرَّ أَمراً وَليدُهُ لا يُنادا

جَرَّ أَمراً وَليدُهُ لا يُنادا

Many an undertaking whose pursuer is unopposed

has brought a crisis where no one calls to the newborn.

قَصَدَتهُم مِن سابِقٍ عَزَماتٌ

قَصَدَتهُم مِن سابِقٍ عَزَماتٌ

لا تَعَدّى سِهامُها الإِقصادا

لا تَعَدّى سِهامُها الإِقصادا

Resolute assaults from Sabiq bore down upon them,

their arrows never failing to kill outright.

صادِقاتٌ كَأَنَّ بَينَ المَنايا

صادِقاتٌ كَأَنَّ بَينَ المَنايا

يَومَ تُنضى وَبَينَها ميعادا

يَومَ تُنضى وَبَينَها ميعادا

Unerring, as though death had arranged

an appointment with them on the day they are drawn.

وَدَواءُ الداءِ الَّذي فَتَّ في الأَع

وَدَواءُ الداءِ الَّذي فَتَّ في الأَع

ضادِ خَوفاً وَفَتَتَ الأَكبادا

ضادِ خَوفاً وَفَتَتَ الأَكبادا

The cure for the malady that weakened arms

with fear and shattered livers

جِزيَةٌ إِن رَضيتَها تُؤمِنُ الأَنفُ

جِزيَةٌ إِن رَضيتَها تُؤمِنُ الأَنفُ

سُ مِن أَن تُفارِقَ الأَجسادا

سُ مِن أَن تُفارِقَ الأَجسادا

is tribute: if you accept it, souls are safe

from departing their bodies;

أَو خُروجٌ عَنها فَقَد آنَ لِلمَس

أَو خُروجٌ عَنها فَقَد آنَ لِلمَس

روقِ بَعدَ المِطالِ أَن يُستَعادا

روقِ بَعدَ المِطالِ أَن يُستَعادا

or evacuation of the city: the time has come for what was stolen

to be recovered after long delay.

كَم بَغى حَصرَها عَزيزٌ فَأَلفا

كَم بَغى حَصرَها عَزيزٌ فَأَلفا

هُ عَزيزاً صَعبَ المَرامِ فَحادا

هُ عَزيزاً صَعبَ المَرامِ فَحادا

Many a mighty man sought its siege, but found it

formidable, hard to achieve, and turned aside.

وَأَبى اللَهُ أَن يُشارَكَ فيهِ

وَأَبى اللَهُ أَن يُشارَكَ فيهِ

فاِختِصاصاً بِفَخرِهِ وَاِنفِرادا

فاِختِصاصاً بِفَخرِهِ وَاِنفِرادا

God refused that it should be shared:

its glory was to be yours exclusively, yours alone.

وَقَدَت عِزَّها مُلوكٌ تَناءَوا

وَقَدَت عِزَّها مُلوكٌ تَناءَوا

عَن طَريفِ العُلى فَعدّوا التِلادا

عَن طَريفِ العُلى فَعدّوا التِلادا

Kings kindled its might, men who held aloof

from newly won glory, counting inherited honors instead.

يا بَني صالِحٍ بِكُم صَلَحَ الدَه

يا بَني صالِحٍ بِكُم صَلَحَ الدَه

رُ وَقَد كانَ لا يَريمُ الفَسادا

رُ وَقَد كانَ لا يَريمُ الفَسادا

O sons of Salih, through you Time was set right,

though it had never ceased from corruption.

وَزَماناً ما زِلتُ أَسأَلُ عَنكُم

وَزَماناً ما زِلتُ أَسأَلُ عَنكُم

فَكَفَتني رُؤياكُمُ الإِسنادا

فَكَفَتني رُؤياكُمُ الإِسنادا

Long did I keep asking about you;

seeing you spared me reliance on transmitted reports.

وَشَهِدتُ البُحورَ قَد كَفَتِ الوُر

وَشَهِدتُ البُحورَ قَد كَفَتِ الوُر

رّادَ أَن يبعَثوا لَها روّادا

رّادَ أَن يبعَثوا لَها روّادا

I beheld seas that spared those coming to water

the need to send out scouts ahead.

وَرَغِبتُم في المَكرُماتِ فَجُدتُم

وَرَغِبتُم في المَكرُماتِ فَجُدتُم

وَأَرى الناسَ غَيرَكُم زُهّادا

وَأَرى الناسَ غَيرَكُم زُهّادا

You sought noble deeds and gave generously,

while I see all others abstaining from them.

وَلَقَد فازَ بِالخُلودِ كِرامٌ

وَلَقَد فازَ بِالخُلودِ كِرامٌ

تَخِذوا الحَمدَ عُدَّةً وَعَتادا

تَخِذوا الحَمدَ عُدَّةً وَعَتادا

Noble men have indeed won immortality

by taking praise as provision and equipment,

بِعطايا تَترى مِئينَ وَآلا

بِعطايا تَترى مِئينَ وَآلا

فاً وَتُلفى فيمَن تَرى أَفرادا

فاً وَتُلفى فيمَن تَرى أَفرادا

through gifts flowing in hundreds and thousands,

while among others you see them only singly.

وَسِواكُم إِذا تَكَلَّفَ مَعرو

وَسِواكُم إِذا تَكَلَّفَ مَعرو

فاً وَإِن قَلَّ أَكثَرَ الإِعتِدادا

فاً وَإِن قَلَّ أَكثَرَ الإِعتِدادا

Others, when they strain to perform a kindness,

however small, make much of taking credit.

سَكَنَ الخَلقُ مِن جِوارِكَ ظِلّاً

سَكَنَ الخَلقُ مِن جِوارِكَ ظِلّاً

زادَهُ اللَهُ بَسطَةً وَاِمتِدادا

زادَهُ اللَهُ بَسطَةً وَاِمتِدادا

Mankind dwells in the shade of your protection;

may God increase its breadth and reach.

وَتَوالَت أَيّامُ مُلكِكَ أَعيا

وَتَوالَت أَيّامُ مُلكِكَ أَعيا

داً فَكِدنا لا نَعرِفُ الأَعيادا

داً فَكِدنا لا نَعرِفُ الأَعيادا

The days of your reign have followed one another as festivals,

until we almost no longer recognize feast days.

وَجَمَعتَ الأَهواءَ مِن بَعدِ تَشتي

وَجَمَعتَ الأَهواءَ مِن بَعدِ تَشتي

تٍ بِرَأيٍ يُؤَلِّفُ الأَضدادا

تٍ بِرَأيٍ يُؤَلِّفُ الأَضدادا

You united inclinations after their dispersal

with a judgment that reconciles opposites.

وَبِمَحضِ الآراءِ خُوِّلَ عَمروٌ

وَبِمَحضِ الآراءِ خُوِّلَ عَمروٌ

مِصرَ وَاِستَلحَقَ اِبنُ هندٍ زِيادا

مِصرَ وَاِستَلحَقَ اِبنُ هندٍ زِيادا

Through judgment alone, ʿAmr was granted

Egypt, and Ibn Hind claimed Ziyad as kin.

قَد كَثَرتَ المُلوكَ فَضلاً وَإِفضا

قَد كَثَرتَ المُلوكَ فَضلاً وَإِفضا

لاً وَعَدلاً فَاِكثُرهُمُ أَولادا

لاً وَعَدلاً فَاِكثُرهُمُ أَولادا

You have surpassed kings in merit and generosity

and justice; surpass them now in offspring.

وَاِتلُ نَصراً بِكُلِّ قَرمٍ هُمامٍ

وَاِتلُ نَصراً بِكُلِّ قَرمٍ هُمامٍ

آمِنٍ أَن يُطالَ أَو أَن يُسادا

آمِنٍ أَن يُطالَ أَو أَن يُسادا

And follow Nasr with every noble, valiant lord,

secure against being surpassed or ruled over,

لِتَرى مِنهُمُ حِيالَكَ آسا

لِتَرى مِنهُمُ حِيالَكَ آسا

داً وَمِن وَلدِ وَلدِهِم آسادا

داً وَمِن وَلدِ وَلدِهِم آسادا

so that you may see lions among them before you,

and lions among their children's children.

عِش لِعافٍ أَنسَيتَهُ الفَقرَ إِصفا

عِش لِعافٍ أَنسَيتَهُ الفَقرَ إِصفا

داً وَعانٍ فَكَكتَ عَنهُ الصِفادا

داً وَعانٍ فَكَكتَ عَنهُ الصِفادا

Live for the petitioner whose poverty you banished with gifts,

and the captive whose shackles you unfastened.

وَليَزِد أَمرُكَ المُطاعُ نَفَاذاً

وَليَزِد أَمرُكَ المُطاعُ نَفَاذاً

وَليَزِد كَيدُ شانِئيكَ نَفادا

وَليَزِد كَيدُ شانِئيكَ نَفادا

May your obeyed command grow ever more effective,

and your haters' scheming ever more exhausted.

صُنتَني عَن إِراقَتي ماءَ وَجهي

صُنتَني عَن إِراقَتي ماءَ وَجهي

وَأَفَدتَ العِزَّ الَّذي لَن يُفادا

وَأَفَدتَ العِزَّ الَّذي لَن يُفادا

You spared me spilling the water of my face,

and gained honor that no other can acquire.

فَسَأُبقي عَليكَ ما أمكَنَ القَو

فَسَأُبقي عَليكَ ما أمكَنَ القَو

لُ ثَناءً حَتّى المَعادِ مُعادا

لُ ثَناءً حَتّى المَعادِ مُعادا

So, as long as speech is possible, I shall preserve for you

praise repeated until the final Return,

بِقَوافٍ لَيسَت تُفارِقُ مَغنا

بِقَوافٍ لَيسَت تُفارِقُ مَغنا

كَ عَلى أَنَّها تَجوبُ البِلادا

كَ عَلى أَنَّها تَجوبُ البِلادا

in rhymes that never leave your abode,

although they roam the lands.

قَد حَماها مَن أَجزَلَ النَقدَ إِذ زُفَّ

قَد حَماها مَن أَجزَلَ النَقدَ إِذ زُفَّ

ت إِلَيهِ وَأَحسَنَ الإِنتقادا

ت إِلَيهِ وَأَحسَنَ الإِنتقادا

He has shielded them—he who paid richly when they were led

to him as a bride, and judged them well—

عَن جَهولٍ يَعُدُّها مِن عُداهُ

عَن جَهولٍ يَعُدُّها مِن عُداهُ

وَعَدُوٍّ مِن سَمعِها يَتَفادا

وَعَدُوٍّ مِن سَمعِها يَتَفادا

from an ignoramus who counts them among his foes,

and an enemy who shuns hearing them.

وَقَبيحٌ أَن أَدَّعي الفَضلَ فيها

وَقَبيحٌ أَن أَدَّعي الفَضلَ فيها

بَعدَ أَن أَنطَقَت عُلاكَ الجَمادا

بَعدَ أَن أَنطَقَت عُلاكَ الجَمادا

It is shameful to claim excellence for myself in them

after your loftiness made the lifeless speak.