إِن لَم أَقُل فيكَ ما يُردي العِدى كَمَدا

إِن لَم أَقُل فيكَ ما يُردي العِدى كَمَدا

فَلا بَلَغتُ مَدىً أَسعى لَهُ أَبَدا

فَلا بَلَغتُ مَدىً أَسعى لَهُ أَبَدا

If I do not say of you what kills your foes with grief,

If I do not say of you that which destroys hostility forever,

may I never reach a goal for which I strive.

Then I will never attain the extent I strive for.

وَكَيفَ أُصبِحُ في الإِحسانِ مُقتَصِداً

وَكَيفَ أُصبِحُ في الإِحسانِ مُقتَصِداً

وَما وَجَدتُكَ فيهِ قَطُّ مُقتَصِدا

وَما وَجَدتُكَ فيهِ قَطُّ مُقتَصِدا

How could I be sparing in kindness,

And how can I be stingy in doing good

when I have never found you sparing in it?

When I never found you to be stingy at all.

لَأورِدَنَّكَ بِالنُعمى الَّتي غَمَرَت

لَأورِدَنَّكَ بِالنُعمى الَّتي غَمَرَت

مِنَ المَحامِدِ بَحراً قَطُّ ما وُرِدا

مِنَ المَحامِدِ بَحراً قَطُّ ما وُرِدا

I shall surely lead you, for the bounty that has overflowed,

I will make you drink from the blessings that flooded you

to a sea of praises never yet approached.

An ocean of praises never before arrived.

عَذبَ المَشارِبِ مَمنوعَ المَشارِعِ لَو

عَذبَ المَشارِبِ مَمنوعَ المَشارِعِ لَو

نَحاهُ غَيرُكَ لَم يَظفَر بِبَلِّ صَدا

نَحاهُ غَيرُكَ لَم يَظفَر بِبَلِّ صَدا

Sweet at its drinking places, barred at its approaches—were

Sweet watering place, blocked path, even if

anyone but you to seek it, he would not slake his thirst.

Another diverted it, he would not gain clear water.

وَمُترَعاً مِن مَعانٍ غَيرِ ناضِبَةٍ

وَمُترَعاً مِن مَعانٍ غَيرِ ناضِبَةٍ

أَنّى وَمَجدُكَ قَد أَضحى لَها مَدَدا

أَنّى وَمَجدُكَ قَد أَضحى لَها مَدَدا

And brimming with meanings that never run dry—

And a pasture of inexhaustible meanings,

how could they, when your glory has become their replenishment?

Whence, and your glory has already lent it support.

أَبَحتُكَ الصَفوَ مِن أَمواهِهِ فَسَقى

أَبَحتُكَ الصَفوَ مِن أَمواهِهِ فَسَقى

رِياضَ فَخرِكَ لا نَزراً وَلا ثَمَدا

رِياضَ فَخرِكَ لا نَزراً وَلا ثَمَدا

I made the clear portion of its waters yours, and it watered

I revealed you the noblest from its obscurities, so it quenched

the gardens of your glory—not scant water or a meager pool.

The meadows of your pride not with a sprinkling or a drizzle.

وَلَو سِواكَ وَكَلّا كانَ وارِدَهُ

وَلَو سِواكَ وَكَلّا كانَ وارِدَهُ

لَما عَدَوتُ بِهِ الإِكدارَ وَالزَبَدا

لَما عَدَوتُ بِهِ الإِكدارَ وَالزَبَدا

Had anyone but you—never!—come to drink from it,

And if I frequented other than you - never!

I would have offered him only murk and foam.

I would not have been rid of disturbing sediment.

سَيفَ الخِلافَةِ مَن يَرجو السُمُوَّ وَقَد

سَيفَ الخِلافَةِ مَن يَرجو السُمُوَّ وَقَد

أَحرَزتَ مُطَّرَفاً مِنهُ وَمُتَّلَدا

أَحرَزتَ مُطَّرَفاً مِنهُ وَمُتَّلَدا

O Sword of the Caliphate, who can hope for eminence when

You left the horizons fragrant with mention of you

you have secured it, newly gained and inherited alike?

And no star will shine whose orbit you do not encompass.

أَحرَزتَهُ بِالنَدى لَم تُبقِ ذا عَدَمٍ

أَحرَزتَهُ بِالنَدى لَم تُبقِ ذا عَدَمٍ

وَبِالحُروبِ الَّتي أَلوَت بِمَن عَنَدا

وَبِالحُروبِ الَّتي أَلوَت بِمَن عَنَدا

You won it through generosity, leaving no one destitute,

Since you reached this Levant, time itself

and through wars that destroyed those who resisted.

Became incapable of being called time anymore.

لَقَد تَرَكتَ طَريقَ المَجدِ شاطِنَةً

لَقَد تَرَكتَ طَريقَ المَجدِ شاطِنَةً

فَلَو سَرى النَجمُ فيها اِستَبعَدَ الأَمَدا

فَلَو سَرى النَجمُ فيها اِستَبعَدَ الأَمَدا

You have made the road to glory so remote

You filled its horizons with gray hair for the creatures

that, were a star to travel it by night, it would find the journey long.

You made them into snares for the devils of mankind.

فَقُل لِمَن رامَ جَرياً في مَداكَ شَأى

فَقُل لِمَن رامَ جَرياً في مَداكَ شَأى

مُستَبعِدَ القُربِ مَن يَستَقرِبُ البُعُدا

مُستَبعِدَ القُربِ مَن يَستَقرِبُ البُعُدا

So tell whoever seeks to race along your course: 'Outstripped is

You never ceased seizing wealth without depletion

the man who deems the near far by him who deems the far near.

And giving that which, had you withheld, would have run out.

دَعِ المَعالي لِمَن أَضحى لَها شَرَفاً

دَعِ المَعالي لِمَن أَضحى لَها شَرَفاً

فَما وَجَدتَ بِها مِعشارَ ما وَجَدا

فَما وَجَدتَ بِها مِعشارَ ما وَجَدا

Leave lofty deeds to him who has become their honor;

You have never taken a step toward other than the Exalted

you have not gained through them a tenth of what he gained.

Nor have you stretched your hand to other than praise.

وَلَيسَ يَبلُغُها فَاِربَع عَلى ظَلَعٍ

وَلَيسَ يَبلُغُها فَاِربَع عَلى ظَلَعٍ

مَن لا يَرى صابَها مِن حُبِّها شُهُدا

مَن لا يَرى صابَها مِن حُبِّها شُهُدا

No one attains them—so rein in your limping pace—

The imamate’s glory is enough that its equipment

who does not, for love of them, regard their bitter sap as honey.'

The nights cannot untie what it has knotted.

بَلِ المَكارِمِ لَم تَكثُر مَغارِمُها

بَلِ المَكارِمِ لَم تَكثُر مَغارِمُها

إِلّا لِتُلحِقَ بِالدانينَ مَن بَعُدا

إِلّا لِتُلحِقَ بِالدانينَ مَن بَعُدا

Rather, the costs of noble deeds have grown so great

You never ceased advising it sincerely since you were but its namesake

only to bring the distant alongside the near.

In word, deed, display, and belief.

كَم في الدُنا قَفرَةٍ عَذراءَ ما سُلِكَت

كَم في الدُنا قَفرَةٍ عَذراءَ ما سُلِكَت

صارَت طَرائِقَ مِن قُصّادِها قِدَدا

صارَت طَرائِقَ مِن قُصّادِها قِدَدا

How many virgin wastes in the world, never traversed,

You were famed for a compassion from you for Islam

have become separate tracks through those who sought them.

That no father has given his own son.

تَرَكتَ مِن ذِكرِها الآفاقَ طَيِّبَةً

تَرَكتَ مِن ذِكرِها الآفاقَ طَيِّبَةً

وَلَن يَطيبَ نَثا مَن لا يَعُمُّ جَدا

وَلَن يَطيبَ نَثا مَن لا يَعُمُّ جَدا

You have left the horizons fragrant with their renown;

You warded off from it covetous aims, after they set upon it

the repute of one whose bounty is not universal will never be fragrant.

And you struggled against those who were its enemies, striving.

وَمُذ حَلَلتَ بِهَذا الشامِ تَكلَؤُهُ

وَمُذ حَلَلتَ بِهَذا الشامِ تَكلَؤُهُ

فَقَد عَدا الدَهرُ فيهِ أَن يُقالَ عَدا

فَقَد عَدا الدَهرُ فيهِ أَن يُقالَ عَدا

Since you settled in this Syria to guard it,

It would praise supporters who went to help it

time here has passed beyond being accused of hostility.

But since it saw you as its champion, it blamed those it had praised.

مَلَأتَ آفاقَهُ مِن ذي الظُبى شُهُباً

مَلَأتَ آفاقَهُ مِن ذي الظُبى شُهُباً

جَعَلتَها لِشَياطينِ الوَرى رَصَدا

جَعَلتَها لِشَياطينِ الوَرى رَصَدا

You filled its horizons with meteors of bladed weapons,

How the brilliant state was ripped apart in the arm

setting them as watchers against the demons of mankind.

Of another, when it called you over mankind as helpers!

وَلَم تَزَل آخِذاً مالا نَفادَ لَهُ

وَلَم تَزَل آخِذاً مالا نَفادَ لَهُ

وَمُعطِياً ما لَوِ اِستَبقَيتَهُ نَفِدا

وَمُعطِياً ما لَوِ اِستَبقَيتَهُ نَفِدا

You have always taken what never runs out,

You are the sword that is never drawn

and given what, had you kept it, would have run out.

Except to humiliate misguidance or honor guidance.

فَما نَقَلتَ إِلى غَيرِ العُلى قَدَماً

فَما نَقَلتَ إِلى غَيرِ العُلى قَدَماً

وَلا شَدَدتَ عَلى غَيرِ الثَناءِ يَدا

وَلا شَدَدتَ عَلى غَيرِ الثَناءِ يَدا

You have never moved a foot toward anything but loftiness,

When its claimant drew you to prevent the truth

nor closed a hand upon anything but praise.

You destroyed with determination those who would not mount resolve.

كَفى الإِمامَةَ عِزّاً أَنَّ عُدَّتَها

كَفى الإِمامَةَ عِزّاً أَنَّ عُدَّتَها

لا تَستَطيعُ اللَيالي حَلَّ ما عَقَدا

لا تَستَطيعُ اللَيالي حَلَّ ما عَقَدا

It is honor enough for the Imamate to have a mainstay

And the return of injustice with intention is impossible

whose bonds the nights cannot undo.

Until the heat returns to its people intentionally.

ما زِلتَ في نُصحِها مُذ كُنتَ مُشتَبِهاً

ما زِلتَ في نُصحِها مُذ كُنتَ مُشتَبِهاً

قَولاً وَفِعلاً وَإِظهاراً وَمُعتَقَدا

قَولاً وَفِعلاً وَإِظهاراً وَمُعتَقَدا

Your loyalty to it has always been consistent, ever since you came to be,

You made sit those who stood against its enemies,

in word and deed, outward profession and inward conviction,

And if it weren’t for you, those who sit would stand.

عَن رَأفَةٍ مِنكَ بِالإِسلامِ قَد شُهِرَت

عَن رَأفَةٍ مِنكَ بِالإِسلامِ قَد شُهِرَت

لَم يُعطِها والِدٌ مِن نَفسِهِ وَلَدا

لَم يُعطِها والِدٌ مِن نَفسِهِ وَلَدا

from a compassion for Islam in you, widely known,

You lowered their repute by force, and their noses,

such as no father has given a child from his own heart.

So you left them naught but their breath ascending.

ذُدتَ المَطامِعَ عَنهُ بَعدَما شُرِعَت

ذُدتَ المَطامِعَ عَنهُ بَعدَما شُرِعَت

فيهِ وَجاهَدتَ مَن عاداهُ مُجتَهِدا

فيهِ وَجاهَدتَ مَن عاداهُ مُجتَهِدا

You drove greedy designs away from it, once they had been directed

Their whims would empty their breasts

against it, and zealously fought whoever opposed it.

Of rancor, so it became like vapor.

وَكانَ يَحمَدُ أَنصاراً لَهُ ذَهَبوا

وَكانَ يَحمَدُ أَنصاراً لَهُ ذَهَبوا

فَمُذ رَآكَ نَصيراً ذَمَّ مَن حَمِدا

فَمُذ رَآكَ نَصيراً ذَمَّ مَن حَمِدا

It used to praise supporters it once had, now gone;

While you are one whose intimidation of them

but once it saw you as its champion, it disparaged those it praised.

Killed your enemies, even when not one draws near.

كَم فَتَّتِ الدَولَةُ الزَهراءُ في عَضُدٍ

كَم فَتَّتِ الدَولَةُ الزَهراءُ في عَضُدٍ

لَمّا دَعَتكَ لَها دونَ الوَرى عَدُدا

لَمّا دَعَتكَ لَها دونَ الوَرى عَدُدا

How many an arm did the radiant state weaken

And you returned seeking from them the blood price of themselves,

when it called upon you, above all mankind, as its reinforcement!

When did we hear of victims being made to pay blood money?

أَنتَ الحُسامُ الَّذي لا يُنتَضى أَبَداً

أَنتَ الحُسامُ الَّذي لا يُنتَضى أَبَداً

إِلّا لِذُلِّ ضَلالٍ أَو لِعِزِّ هُدا

إِلّا لِذُلِّ ضَلالٍ أَو لِعِزِّ هُدا

You are the sword never drawn

So they surrendered to you in hope that

except to abase error or exalt right guidance.

A pardon engulfing ease would pour over them from your rest.

لَمّا اِنتَضاكَ لِمَنعِ الحَقِّ صاحِبُهُ

لَمّا اِنتَضاكَ لِمَنعِ الحَقِّ صاحِبُهُ

أَهلَكتَ بِالجِدِّ مَن لَم يَركَبِ الجَدَدا

أَهلَكتَ بِالجِدِّ مَن لَم يَركَبِ الجَدَدا

When truth's champion drew you to defend it,

They were glad to live in the outskirts of a kingdom—

you zealously destroyed those who did not take the level path.

One who does not live in its outskirts lives no life of comfort.

وَعَودَةُ الجَورِ قَصداً غَيرُ مُمكِنَةٍ

وَعَودَةُ الجَورِ قَصداً غَيرُ مُمكِنَةٍ

حَتّى يَعودَ القَنا عَن أَهلِهِ قِصَدا

حَتّى يَعودَ القَنا عَن أَهلِهِ قِصَدا

A deliberate return of injustice is impossible

A generosity you were exclusive among all people in

until the spears return from its people in fragments.

So thank the One who gave it to you, which He gave no other.

أَقعَدتَ مَن قامَ مِن أَعداءِ دَولَتِهِ

أَقعَدتَ مَن قامَ مِن أَعداءِ دَولَتِهِ

وَلَو بِغَيرِكَ ريعوا قامَ مَن قَعَدا

وَلَو بِغَيرِكَ ريعوا قامَ مَن قَعَدا

You put down those of his state's enemies who rose;

You supported kings with resolve and sound resolve, so live

had someone else alarmed them, those seated would have risen.

The age of time ruling the earth exclusively.

أَهبَطتَ أَقدارَهُم قَسراً وَآنُفَهُم

أَهبَطتَ أَقدارَهُم قَسراً وَآنُفَهُم

فَما تَرَكتَ سِوى أَنفاسِهِم صُعُدا

فَما تَرَكتَ سِوى أَنفاسِهِم صُعُدا

You forcibly brought down their standing and their noses,

You have died of envy one who would not have died in awe

leaving nothing to rise but their sighs.

Of you, and in awe of one who would not have died envied.

كانَت عَواديهِمُ تُخلي صُدورَهُمُ

كانَت عَواديهِمُ تُخلي صُدورَهُمُ

مِنَ الحُقودِ فَصارَت لِلضَبابِ كَذا

مِنَ الحُقودِ فَصارَت لِلضَبابِ كَذا

Their raids once emptied their breasts

What makes Hassan suspend his hatred?

of rancor; now the same holds for lizards.

May he not outlive the remainder of his life in rancor!

وَأَنتَ مَن لَم تَزَل تُتوي إِخافَتُهُ

وَأَنتَ مَن لَم تَزَل تُتوي إِخافَتُهُ

عِداهُ حَتّى أَماتَت حِقدَ مَن حَقَدا

عِداهُ حَتّى أَماتَت حِقدَ مَن حَقَدا

You are he whose terror has always destroyed

He used to be —in bygone days— stout of heart

his foes, till it killed the rancor of those who bore it.

For battles, but you left him no heart.

حاكَمتَهُم وَهُمُ لُدٌّ فَأَحصَرَهُم

حاكَمتَهُم وَهُمُ لُدٌّ فَأَحصَرَهُم

عَن نُصرَةِ الغَيِّ طَعنٌ يَنصُرُ الرَشَدا

عَن نُصرَةِ الغَيِّ طَعنٌ يَنصُرُ الرَشَدا

You brought them to judgment, though contentious; they were barred

You made him drink what melts the rock, very easily,

from aiding error by thrusts that championed right guidance.

And what missteps would ruin him, had he not been so foolish.

وَفي الرُدَينِيَّةِ اللائي حَشَوتَ بِها

وَفي الرُدَينِيَّةِ اللائي حَشَوتَ بِها

تِلكَ الصُدورَ لَدودٌ يُذهِبُ اللَدَدا

تِلكَ الصُدورَ لَدودٌ يُذهِبُ اللَدَدا

In the Rudayni spears with which you stuffed

So turn to a king whom misery has overwhelmed,

those breasts lies a draught that cures obstinacy.

If he should win from you even a glance, he would be fortunate.

لَم تُغنِ عَنهُم رِماحٌ قَلَّ مانِعُها

لَم تُغنِ عَنهُم رِماحٌ قَلَّ مانِعُها

إِذا رَأَت ثُغَرَ الأَبطالِ أَن تَرِدا

إِذا رَأَت ثُغَرَ الأَبطالِ أَن تَرِدا

Spears availed them nothing, though rarely barred,

For no one disobeys you in word or deed,

when they saw openings in champions, from entering them.

Whoever you have forbidden from sleep has not slumbered.

وَلا حَمَتهُم دُروعٌ طالَما عَصَمَت

وَلا حَمَتهُم دُروعٌ طالَما عَصَمَت

وَالقَعضَبِيَّةُ فيها تَكثُرُ الزَرَدا

وَالقَعضَبِيَّةُ فيها تَكثُرُ الزَرَدا

Nor did armor protect them, though it had often shielded them,

The lions crouched in their thickets submitting to you in fright,

while Qaʿdabi swords within it outnumber its mail-rings.

So had you wished, you could have herded them for money.

قَتَلتَهُم بِصُنوفِ الخَوفِ تَبعَثُهُ

قَتَلتَهُم بِصُنوفِ الخَوفِ تَبعَثُهُ

كَم مِن قَتيلٍ وَلَمّا يَدنُ مِنهُ رَدا

كَم مِن قَتيلٍ وَلَمّا يَدنُ مِنهُ رَدا

You killed them with the kinds of fear you sent forth;

And the piercing eyes are downcast, no more piercing,

how many were slain before death had come near them!

And the hunters have neglected hunting in your time.

وَعُدتَ تَطلُبُ مِنهُم قَودَ أَنفُسِهِم

وَعُدتَ تَطلُبُ مِنهُم قَودَ أَنفُسِهِم

وَما سَمِعنا بِقَتلى أُلزِموا قَوَدا

وَما سَمِعنا بِقَتلى أُلزِموا قَوَدا

Then you came back to demand their lives in retribution;

Determinations that outpace destinies were not created

we have never heard of slain men condemned to retribution.

Except to restrain an enemy or kill a foe.

فَيَمَّموكَ رَجاءً أَن سَيَغمُرُهُم

فَيَمَّموكَ رَجاءً أَن سَيَغمُرُهُم

عَفوٌ يُحيلُ الرَدى في راحَتَيكَ نَدا

عَفوٌ يُحيلُ الرَدى في راحَتَيكَ نَدا

So they made for you, hoping they would be overwhelmed

So how many tribulations threatening us have you

by pardon that turns death in your palms into bounty.

Repelled, and distanced their bridegrooms, O lion!

فَأَحمَدوا العَيشَ في أَفناءِ مَملَكَةٍ

فَأَحمَدوا العَيشَ في أَفناءِ مَملَكَةٍ

مَن لَم يَعِش في ذَراها لَم يَعِش رَغَدا

مَن لَم يَعِش في ذَراها لَم يَعِش رَغَدا

So they found life praiseworthy in the precincts of a kingdom:

And [how many] enemies you have allowed every grace,

whoever has not lived in its shelter has not lived at ease.

Time will run out before their number can be counted.

فَضلٌ تَمَيَّزتَ عَن كُلِّ الأَنامِ بِهِ

فَضلٌ تَمَيَّزتَ عَن كُلِّ الأَنامِ بِهِ

فَاِشكُر لِمُعطيكَ ما لَم يُعطِهِ أَحَدا

فَاِشكُر لِمُعطيكَ ما لَم يُعطِهِ أَحَدا

A grace that sets you apart from all mankind—

Until it is as if a dignitary, before his death,

so thank the one who gave you what he gave no other.

Entrusted you with those he abandoned when he parted from the world.

أَيَّدتَ بِالجِدِّ وَالجَدِّ المُلوكَ فَعِش

أَيَّدتَ بِالجِدِّ وَالجَدِّ المُلوكَ فَعِش

عُمرَ الزَمانِ بِمُلكِ الأَرضِ مُنفَرِدا

عُمرَ الزَمانِ بِمُلكِ الأَرضِ مُنفَرِدا

You strengthened kings through effort and good fortune; so live

If in antiquity their ignorance had befallen

for time's lifetime, sole ruler of the earth.

A king emulating your munificence, it would have pardoned the buried daughter.

أَمَتَّ مِن حَسَدٍ مَن لَم يَمُت رَهَباً

أَمَتَّ مِن حَسَدٍ مَن لَم يَمُت رَهَباً

مِنهُم وَمِن رَهَبٍ مَن لَم يَمُت حَسَدا

مِنهُم وَمِن رَهَبٍ مَن لَم يَمُت حَسَدا

You killed with envy those who did not die of dread

So let the ambitious seek what raises his aspiration—

among them, and with dread those who did not die of envy.

He whose support you have become will not be pushed away.

إِلامَ يُمطَلُ حَسّانٌ بِبُغيَتِهِ

إِلامَ يُمطَلُ حَسّانٌ بِبُغيَتِهِ

لا يَنفَدَن ما بَقي مِن عُمرِهِ فَنَدا

لا يَنفَدَن ما بَقي مِن عُمرِهِ فَنَدا

How long will Hassan be kept waiting for his wish?

And let him aim for the stars through the kinship that gathered

Let what remains of his life not be wasted in folly.

The honor of nobility for him and lasting pillars.

قَد كانَ في سالِفِ الأَيّامِ ذا جَلَدٍ

قَد كانَ في سالِفِ الأَيّامِ ذا جَلَدٍ

عَلى الخُطوبِ فَلَم تَترُك لَهُ جَلَدا

عَلى الخُطوبِ فَلَم تَترُك لَهُ جَلَدا

In bygone days he had endurance

The souls of enemies were torn by a bond

against calamities, but you left him none.

Through which time will ever see Adnan envied by lineage.

جَرَّعتَهُ ما يُذيبُ الصَخرَ أَيسَرُهُ

جَرَّعتَهُ ما يُذيبُ الصَخرَ أَيسَرُهُ

وَما خَطاهُ الرَدى لَو لَم يَكُن لُبَدا

وَما خَطاهُ الرَدى لَو لَم يَكُن لُبَدا

You made him drink what, at its mildest, would melt rock,

Except in acknowledgment. For the deprived is not the one whose

and death would not have missed him had he not been Lubad.

Favors were rejected—rather the deprived is he who rejected.

فَاِعطِف عَلى مَلِكٍ لَجَّ الشَقاءُ بِهِ

فَاِعطِف عَلى مَلِكٍ لَجَّ الشَقاءُ بِهِ

إِن فازَ مِنكَ بِأَدنى نَظرَةٍ سَعِدا

إِن فازَ مِنكَ بِأَدنى نَظرَةٍ سَعِدا

So show compassion to a king whom misery has hounded;

Time was too narrow for what you have enabled of blessings

if he gains even your slightest glance, he will be happy.

Whose edges multiplied from what you have poured forth begetting.

فَلَيسَ يَعصيكَ في قَولٍ وَلا عَمَلٍ

فَلَيسَ يَعصيكَ في قَولٍ وَلا عَمَلٍ

مَن مُذ حَظَرتَ عَلَيهِ النَومَ ما رَقَدا

مَن مُذ حَظَرتَ عَلَيهِ النَومَ ما رَقَدا

For he will not disobey you in word or deed—

It decreed that I find ease in my homeland,

he who has not slept since you forbade him sleep.

So I did not travel to it failing to find.

ذَلَّت لَكَ الأُسدُ في غاباتِها وَعَنَت

ذَلَّت لَكَ الأُسدُ في غاباتِها وَعَنَت

خَوفاً فَلَو شِئتَ لَاِستَرعَيتَها النَقدا

خَوفاً فَلَو شِئتَ لَاِستَرعَيتَها النَقدا

The lions in their thickets were humbled before you and submitted

And how can one reaching its pinnacle do so

in fear; had you wished, you could have made them tend small sheep.

By falling short when he strives with utmost striving?

وَالأَعيُنُ الشوسُ قَد غُضَّت فَلا شَوَسٌ

وَالأَعيُنُ الشوسُ قَد غُضَّت فَلا شَوَسٌ

وَالصِيدُ قَد تَرَكوا في عَصرِكَ الصَيَدا

وَالصِيدُ قَد تَرَكوا في عَصرِكَ الصَيَدا

Haughty eyes have been lowered; no haughty glance remains,

So draw the trains of robes with no end

and the proud have ceased holding their heads high in your age.

Woven from praise preceding chill mornings.

عَزائِمٌ تَسبِقُ الأَقدارَ ما خُلِقَت

عَزائِمٌ تَسبِقُ الأَقدارَ ما خُلِقَت

إِلّا لِكَفِّ عَداءٍ أَو لِقَتلِ عِدا

إِلّا لِكَفِّ عَداءٍ أَو لِقَتلِ عِدا

Resolves that outstrip destiny were created

This rain has poured down its well-watered soil,

only to curb aggression or kill foes.

So it sets out in a robe of its light, moving on.

فَكَم جَلَوتَ بِها مِن فِتنَةٍ غَسَقَت

فَكَم جَلَوتَ بِها مِن فِتنَةٍ غَسَقَت

عَنّا وَأَجلَيتَ عَن عِرّيسِهِ أَسَدا

عَنّا وَأَجلَيتَ عَن عِرّيسِهِ أَسَدا

How often you have cleared away with them a darkened turmoil

Your mention clothed it in radiance, so it left

from us, and driven a lion from his lair!

Curing whatever firmness and resolve it requires.

وَكَم أَتَحتَ عَدِيّاً كُلَّها نِعَماً

وَكَم أَتَحتَ عَدِيّاً كُلَّها نِعَماً

يَفنى الزَمانُ وَما أُحصي لَها عَدَدا

يَفنى الزَمانُ وَما أُحصي لَها عَدَدا

And how many favors, all blessings, you have granted Adi—

You remain our world’s adornment, and the days

time will perish before I can number them!

Of your rule have not ceased to be recurring holidays for us.

حَتّى كَأَنَّ جَناباً قَبلَ مَصرَعِهِ

حَتّى كَأَنَّ جَناباً قَبلَ مَصرَعِهِ

وَصّاكَ إِذ بايَنَ الدُنيا بِمَن وَلَدا

وَصّاكَ إِذ بايَنَ الدُنيا بِمَن وَلَدا

As though Janab, before his death,

No homelands were left of you by which they took refuge—

had entrusted his offspring to you as he left the world.

Had it not been for you, no soul would have inhabited a body.

فَلَو أَصابَت قَديماً جاهِلِيَّتُهُم

فَلَو أَصابَت قَديماً جاهِلِيَّتُهُم

مَلكاً يُدانيكَ جوداً عَفَّ مَن وَأَدا

مَلكاً يُدانيكَ جوداً عَفَّ مَن وَأَدا

Had their age of ignorance long ago found

What goodness comes to you today is thought copious,

a king approaching your generosity, those who buried children alive would have refrained.

And what tomorrow holds is thought paltry.

فَليَلتَمِس رافِعٌ ما عَزَّ مَطلَبُهُ

فَليَلتَمِس رافِعٌ ما عَزَّ مَطلَبُهُ

فَلَن يُدافَعَ مَن تُضحي لَهُ سَنَدا

فَلَن يُدافَعَ مَن تُضحي لَهُ سَنَدا

Let Rafi seek what is difficult to attain;

You have reached no extent the kings rise to

no one with you as his support will be turned away.

Unless the auspicious resolve found you a greater extent.

وَليُفرَعِ النَجمَ بِالقُربى الَّتي جَمَعَت

وَليُفرَعِ النَجمَ بِالقُربى الَّتي جَمَعَت

شَملَ الفَخارَ لَهُ وَالسُؤدُدَ البَدَدا

شَملَ الفَخارَ لَهُ وَالسُؤدُدَ البَدَدا

And let him overtop the star through the kinship that has gathered

the scattered strands of glory and lordship for him.

تَقَطَّعَت أَنفُسُ الأَعداءِ مِن صِلَةٍ

تَقَطَّعَت أَنفُسُ الأَعداءِ مِن صِلَةٍ

يَظَلُّ يَحسُدُ عَدنانَ بِها أُدَدا

يَظَلُّ يَحسُدُ عَدنانَ بِها أُدَدا

The souls of enemies have torn themselves apart over a bond

for which Adnan continually envies Udad.

إِلّا اِعتِرافاً فَما المَغبونُ مَن جُحِدَت

إِلّا اِعتِرافاً فَما المَغبونُ مَن جُحِدَت

آلاؤُهُ إِنَّما المَغبونُ مَن جَحَدا

آلاؤُهُ إِنَّما المَغبونُ مَن جَحَدا

Only acknowledgment—for the loser is not the one whose

favors are denied; the loser is the one who denies them.

ضاقَ الزَمانُ بِما خَوَّلتَ مِن نِعَمٍ

ضاقَ الزَمانُ بِما خَوَّلتَ مِن نِعَمٍ

خيلَت طَوارِفُها مِمّا ضَفَت تُلُدا

خيلَت طَوارِفُها مِمّا ضَفَت تُلُدا

Time has grown too narrow for the blessings you have bestowed;

their newest gifts, so abundant, seemed old inheritances.

قَضَت بِأَن أَجِدَ الإيسارَ في وَطَني

قَضَت بِأَن أَجِدَ الإيسارَ في وَطَني

فَما رَحَلتُ إِلَيهِ عِرمِساً أُجُدا

فَما رَحَلتُ إِلَيهِ عِرمِساً أُجُدا

They decreed that I find prosperity in my homeland,

so I did not saddle a sturdy, strong-bodied she-camel to reach it.

وَكَيفَ يُدرِكُ بِالتَقصيرِ غايَتَها

وَكَيفَ يُدرِكُ بِالتَقصيرِ غايَتَها

مَن لا يَنالَ قُصاراها إِذا جَهَدا

مَن لا يَنالَ قُصاراها إِذا جَهَدا

How can he reach their goal through neglect

who cannot attain their utmost even when he strives?

فَاِسحَب ذُيولَ بُرودٍ لا فَناءَ لَها

فَاِسحَب ذُيولَ بُرودٍ لا فَناءَ لَها

مَنسوجَةٍ مِن مَديحٍ تَسبِقُ البُرُدا

مَنسوجَةٍ مِن مَديحٍ تَسبِقُ البُرُدا

So trail the hems of mantles that never perish,

woven of praise, surpassing cloth mantles.

مُرَوَّضٍ جادَ هَذا الغَيثُ تُربَتَهُ

مُرَوَّضٍ جادَ هَذا الغَيثُ تُربَتَهُ

فَراحَ في خِلَعٍ مِن نورِهِ وَغَدا

فَراحَ في خِلَعٍ مِن نورِهِ وَغَدا

Praise made a garden, whose soil this rain has watered,

passes evening and morning in robes of its blossoms.

كَساهُ ذِكرُكَ لَألاءً فَغادَرَهُ

كَساهُ ذِكرُكَ لَألاءً فَغادَرَهُ

أَشَفَّ ما يُقتَضاهُ مَن شَدا وَحَدا

أَشَفَّ ما يُقتَضاهُ مَن شَدا وَحَدا

Your mention clothed it in brilliance, leaving it

the finest offering asked of one who sings and chants to camels.

لا زِلتَ زينَةَ دُنيانا وَلا بَرِحَت

لا زِلتَ زينَةَ دُنيانا وَلا بَرِحَت

أَيّامُ مُلكِكَ أَعياداً لَنا جُدُدا

أَيّامُ مُلكِكَ أَعياداً لَنا جُدُدا

May you remain the adornment of our world, and may

the days of your reign remain fresh festivals for us.

وَلا خَلَت مِنكَ أَوطانٌ بِكَ اِعتَصَمَت

وَلا خَلَت مِنكَ أَوطانٌ بِكَ اِعتَصَمَت

لَولاكَ ما اِستَوطَنَت روحٌ بِها جَسَدا

لَولاكَ ما اِستَوطَنَت روحٌ بِها جَسَدا

May the lands that sought refuge in you never be without you;

without you, no soul there would have made a body its home.

يُستَكثَرُ اليَومَ ما تَأتيهِ مِن حَسَنٍ

يُستَكثَرُ اليَومَ ما تَأتيهِ مِن حَسَنٍ

وَيُستَقَلُّ بِما تُفضي إِلَيهِ غَدا

وَيُستَقَلُّ بِما تُفضي إِلَيهِ غَدا

The good you do today is judged abundant,

but judged small beside what you achieve tomorrow.

وَلا بَلَغتَ مَدىً تَعلو المُلوكُ بِهِ

وَلا بَلَغتَ مَدىً تَعلو المُلوكُ بِهِ

إِلّا أَجَدَّ لَكَ الجَدُّ السَعيدُ مَدى

إِلّا أَجَدَّ لَكَ الجَدُّ السَعيدُ مَدى

May you reach no height by which kings rise

without happy fortune setting you a fresh height.